20 Ashar, Kathmandu – The final farewell ceremony for Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has commenced. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian along with other top national leaders paid tribute to Khamenei on Friday in Tehran. However, due to security reasons, Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was unable to attend the ceremony. On Saturday, millions gathered at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla to bid farewell to Khamenei. According to international media reports, participants clad in black, following Shia tradition, expressed mourning by beating their chests. During the event, slogans such as “Blood will flow,” “Death to America,” and “Revenge, revenge” were chanted. Funeral rites related to Khamenei, which began on July 3, will continue until July 9 in Tehran.
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that the United States granted Iran a one-week leave for Khamenei’s funeral, a gesture he described as humanitarian. He stated that once the ceremony concludes, Iran should comply with American demands and proceed forward. Over 100 countries sent representatives to the funeral event; however, top leaders from Russia, China, India, and Turkey dispatched delegations rather than attending in person. Likewise, heads of state from Pakistan, Iraq, Armenia, Tajikistan, and Georgia were present at the ceremony.
Alongside Khamenei, victims of the February 28 attack—including his 14-month-old granddaughter, daughter, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law—were given final tributes. Security arrangements for the funeral have been tightened considerably. The military and police forces are extensively deployed outside Tehran’s key roads, intersections, and government buildings. To facilitate public participation, metro and government bus services in Tehran have been made free of charge. Additionally, hotels are offering 50% discounts on rooms, and accommodations have been arranged in schools and mosques. Special trains have also been organized to bring people from other cities.
According to Iranian media, Ali Khamenei’s final journey will proceed from Tehran to Qom, then through Iraq’s Karbala and Najaf, ultimately concluding in Mashhad on July 9, where he will be laid to rest. Qatar has indicated that talks between the U.S. and Iran will resume following Khamenei’s funeral. Meanwhile, Iran has refused permission for the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities. Iranian officials estimate that 15 to 20 million people will come to Tehran over the next three days to pay their respects to Khamenei. To alleviate the heat, over 6,000 water sprinklers have been installed. Regarding food provisions, 50 million pieces of bread will be prepared, with 16 mobile bakeries operating in Tehran. Since chemical treatments of bodies are prohibited in Islam, Khamenei’s body was stored under refrigeration for four months without any chemical preservation. His coffin is adorned with red tulips and surrounded by white butterflies drifting in the air. In the Shia community, red flowers symbolize martyrdom and the blood of resistance against injustice, while white butterflies represent the pure soul of the martyr. Although Saudi Arabia is absent from the list of foreign delegations, the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister made an unexpected visit to Tehran.
