Iran prepares grand funeral for late Supreme Leader Khamenei killed in US-Israeli strikes
15-20 million mourners expected for the largest state funeral in Iran's history.
Giant portraits of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s late supreme leader killed in US-Israeli air strikes, now hang from Tehran’s Grand Mosalla as workers race to prepare for his grand funeral. Khamenei, a pivotal spiritual figure for Shia Muslims worldwide, was killed at age 86 in his central Tehran compound on February 28, the first day of the war. The public funeral, initially delayed at the peak of the Middle East conflict, will begin on Saturday with his body lying in state at the colossal complex that hosts major Friday prayers and official ceremonies. Alongside Khamenei, the bodies of his slain relatives will be presented.
Iranian officials project between 15 and 20 million mourners, which would make this the largest state funeral in the country's history. The event occurs as Iran and the United States observe a fragile ceasefire after signing a preliminary deal to halt hostilities. The massive gathering underscores both the deep reverence for Khamenei and the volatile geopolitical landscape. The funeral logistics, security, and crowd control are being handled with extraordinary scale, reflecting the region's tense calm.
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, killed on February 28 in US-Israeli air strikes on his Tehran compound.
- Funeral begins Saturday at Tehran's Grand Mosalla, initially delayed due to war.
- Officials expect 15-20 million mourners, the largest state funeral in Iran's history.
Why It Matters
The mass funeral signals Iran's unity under a fragile ceasefire, testing regional stability and US-Iran relations.