Iran Plans Three-Day Funeral for Ali Khamenei

The Government of Iran announced plans Tuesday for a three-day state funeral for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The ceremonies are expected to take place in mid-June, coinciding with the beginning of Muharram. Events are scheduled for Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad, with the final burial set for the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.

Officials anticipate between 15 million and 20 million mourners will attend the rites, with the Tehran ceremony lasting at least 24 hours. The funeral was originally scheduled for March 4 but was postponed due to conflict. The current timing is reportedly influenced by a favorable climate regarding expected peace talks with the United States.

Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28, 2026, by joint United States and Israeli airstrikes at his residence in Tehran. The offensive also resulted in civilian deaths in Minab, prompting Iran to launch 100 waves of retaliatory strikes under Operation True Promise 4. While a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire has been in effect since early April, the United States continues to maintain a naval blockade of Iranian ports. Symbolic mourning has also been reported in Iraq, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Kashmir.