Iran Expects 20 Million Mourners at Khamenei’s Burial

Iran has concluded plans for the burial of its late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, nearly four months after he was killed in a United States-Israeli military strike, with authorities expecting millions of mourners to participate in a week-long funeral programme.

Iranian authorities said the six-day funeral rites will begin on Saturday, with Khamenei’s body lying in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla prayer complex before a series of ceremonies across Iran and neighbouring Iraq.

According to officials, the funeral procession will take place in Tehran on Monday before the remains are moved to the holy city of Qom on July 7.

The body will subsequently be taken to the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala before returning to Iran for burial in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9.

Iran estimates that between 15 million and 20 million people could attend the ceremonies, describing the event as a “historic” gathering.

Mourners are expected from across Iran and abroad, while security has been significantly tightened ahead of the funeral.

Police have reportedly placed security agencies on high alert and mobilised members of the Basij militia to maintain order throughout the ceremonies.

Senior government officials and delegations from more than 30 countries, including Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Georgia and Cuba, are expected to attend the funeral.

Religious leaders from about 90 countries are also expected to participate.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has confirmed that he will attend the burial ceremony after earlier announcing his plans during an address to the country’s parliament.

The prolonged interval between Khamenei’s death and his burial has also generated public interest over the preservation of his remains during the period.

Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for 36 years, was killed on February 28 during what was described as a targeted US military operation, codenamed Operation Epic Fury, carried out in coordination with Israel at his compound in Tehran.