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Tehran: Iran is preparing (procession) for the funeral of its former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This will be the largest state funeral in Iran’s history, spanning from July 4 to July 9. A grand six-day funeral procession is being organized for the event, covering five cities across Iran and Iraq. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with 39 others, was killed in an attack by the US and Israel in February 2026. Among the casualties were Khamenei’s daughter and son-in-law.
The US and Israeli attack on Iran had brought the entire world to the brink of a Third World War. Iran targeted US bases located in all its neighboring countries. The fighting ceased after 108 days. Hundreds of people lost their lives during this period, including a large number of schoolgirls in Iran.
Khamenei’s funeral after four months
Khamenei’s funeral is taking place after a delay of four months. War-like conditions and security concerns were the reasons behind this; his mortal remains had been kept safely in cold storage. Now, Iran is preparing for a final journey that is set to go down in history books. The funeral proceedings will last for six full days, from July 4 to July 9, with the procession passing through five cities across two countries.
What will happen during Khamenei’s funeral?
The largest state funeral in Iran’s history is no ordinary mourning gathering; it is a grand and massive procession spanning six days. The journey begins on July 4. Most surprisingly, the procession is not limited to Iran alone; the neighboring country of Iraq has also been included in the route. The funeral procession will pass through a total of five cities, including the Iranian capital, Tehran, and the Shia community’s holiest site. Subsequently, Khamenei will be laid to rest in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9. Massive crowds, numbering in the millions, are expected to gather during this period.
**Comprehensive Security Arrangements**
Security measures for Khamenei’s funeral have been made so airtight that not even a bird could slip through unnoticed. The governments of both Iran and Iraq are on such high alert that hundreds of thousands of troops have been deployed to secure the route. From July 4 to July 9, the airspace over the five cities through which the procession will pass has been completely sealed; no commercial flights will be permitted to operate there. Iran has placed its most advanced air defense systems on ‘high alert’ along the borders with Iraq and around Tehran, while Iranian fighter jets are patrolling the skies around the clock. Since the procession will also pass through Iraqi cities, Iran’s ‘Quds Force’ and Iraq’s ‘Popular Mobilization Forces’ have established a joint security perimeter to deter the US or Israel from attempting another drone strike.
**World’s Largest Diplomatic and Military Gathering in Iran**
People from across the globe have been invited to attend Khamenei’s funeral. This event is set to become not merely a national mourning occasion but the world’s largest diplomatic and military gathering. Iran has extended invitations to prominent leaders worldwide for this historic funeral, and reports indicate that Russia and China will also be present. According to intelligence sources, high-level delegations and security officials from Russia and China will be in Tehran during this time. Additionally, top Hezbollah commanders from Lebanon, Houthi rebels from Yemen, and leaders of militia groups from Gaza and Iraq will walk shoulder-to-shoulder in this funeral procession. This is an attempt to demonstrate to the world that Khamenei’s network has not weakened despite his passing. Special invitations have also been sent to diplomats from Pakistan, Turkey, and several Central Asian nations to attend this six-day event.
What is the objective of this grand funeral procession?
According to experts, Iran intends to convey several messages through this grand procession. The first message is to show the United States and Israel that Iran remains united—and unbroken—following Khamenei’s death. The second message is to bring its supporters and the entire Shia world onto a single platform, thereby laying the groundwork for a massive act of retaliation in the future. The funeral proceedings, scheduled from July 4 to July 9, represent more than just a farewell; they signal an impending storm in Middle Eastern politics.
