Iran to Hold Three-Day Funeral for Late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
Iranian authorities have announced plans to conduct a three-day state funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28. While an initial ceremony was scheduled for early March, the ongoing conflict in the region forced officials to push back the proceedings. Although a firm date has yet to be finalized, Tehran’s Deputy Mayor, Mohammad Amin Tavakolizadeh, indicated that the government is eyeing a window around mid-June, coinciding with the start of the Islamic month of Muharram.
The multi-city commemorative event is expected to draw massive crowds, with officials projecting an attendance of up to 20 million mourners. The observances will be spread across several key locations, beginning with a 24-hour ceremony in the capital, Tehran, before moving to the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad. Khamenei, who served as the nation's supreme leader for nearly 37 years, is slated to be laid to rest in Mashhad once the public tributes conclude.