Iran Buries Supreme Leader After Multi-City Funeral Processions

Iran concluded a multi-day state funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 9, 2026, with his final burial at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad. The ceremonies followed a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28 that killed the Supreme Leader and four family members, including his daughter and a 14-month-old granddaughter, triggering a regional conflict. The funeral began on July 4 in Tehran, where millions gathered at the Grand Mosalla and Azadi Square. To manage the crowds, Iranian authorities shut down Tehran's airspace and airports on July 6.

The procession moved from Tehran to Qom, then to the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, where an estimated 10 million people attended rites. Iraqi authorities restricted the ceremonies to these holy cities, opposing events in Baghdad to maintain a political balance between Iran and the U.S. The events were marked by intense anti-Western sentiment, with mourners burning flags and calling for the death of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Notably absent from all public services was the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. While Iranian officials cited security risks, reports suggested he was severely injured or disfigured in the February airstrike. President Donald Trump dismissed the public grief as "fake tears" and claimed the U.S. could have liquidated the entire gathered leadership in "one shot," though he paused hostilities and peace talks until July 9 to allow for the mourning period. Diplomatic negotiations are scheduled to resume in Pakistan on July 11.