03.07.2026 12:10
A state ceremony is being held in Tehran for Iran's former leader Ali Khamenei, who lost his life in the attack by the US and Israel on February 28. Representatives from approximately 100 countries are expected to attend the ceremony, with Turkey represented by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, along with Fatih Erbakan, Chairman of the Re-Welfare Party. After Tehran, Khamenei's body is planned to be taken to Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and finally Mashhad, where he will be buried on July 9.
A state ceremony is being held in the capital Tehran for Iran's former leader Ali Khamenei, who lost his life in an attack carried out by the US and Israel on February 28. Representatives from approximately 100 countries are expected to attend the ceremony, while images of Fatih Erbakan, the Chairman of the Yeniden Refah Party, at the funeral drew attention.
CEREMONY BEGAN AT IMAM KHOMEINI MUSALLA
A state ceremony is being held for Ali Khamenei at the Imam Khomeini Musalla Mosque in Tehran, the capital of Iran. The ceremony, which began with a recitation of the Quran and a moment of silence, was attended by Iranian officials, many citizens, and foreign representatives.
Turkey was represented at the ceremony by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, while Fatih Erbakan, the Chairman of the Yeniden Refah Party, was also among the attendees. Images of Erbakan at the funeral drew attention.
PARTICIPATION FROM APPROXIMATELY 100 COUNTRIES EXPECTED
The day-long state ceremony for Khamenei is expected to be attended by heads of government and parliament, foreign ministers, and special representatives from approximately 100 countries.
Iranian media announced that Khamenei's body had been brought to the Imam Khomeini Grand Musalla, stating, "The martyr's body of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has arrived at the Imam Khomeini Grand Musalla."
ROUTE FROM TEHRAN TO QOM
The ceremonies for Khamenei, who ruled Iran for 37 years, will not be limited to Tehran. On Monday, the main funeral cortege will take place along the approximately 10-kilometer route between Imam Hussein Square and Freedom Square, which has been the center of mass demonstrations since the 1979 Revolution.
Afterward, the body will be taken to the city of Qom, an important religious center of the Shia world. A ceremony will be held there between the Fatima Masumeh Shrine and the Jamkaran Mosque.
While officials expect approximately 20 million people to join the cortege, they warned that the temperature in Qom could reach 45 degrees Celsius.
CEREMONY ALSO TO BE HELD IN IRAQ
Khamenei's body will later be taken to the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, holy cities of Shia Islam. It was reported that the Baghdad leg, previously included in the funeral program, was removed due to time constraints.
On July 9, Khamenei's body will be laid to rest in Mashhad, the city of his birth.
SON MAY NOT ATTEND CEREMONIES
Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei's representative in India, Ayatollah Hakim Elahi, announced that Mojtaba Khamenei may not be able to attend the funeral ceremonies for his father due to security reasons.
HIGH-LEVEL SECURITY MEASURES IN THE CAPITAL
Officials stated that the funeral ceremonies were held with a delay of approximately four months due to war conditions, the declared ceasefire, and the subsequent diplomatic negotiations.
Ahead of the ceremonies, extensive security measures were taken in the capital Tehran, with increased checks at city entrances and exits. It was also reported that flight disruptions and cancellations are expected.
In addition to the delegation led by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev and high-level representatives from India and China are also expected to attend the ceremony.