Iran Begins Long Funeral Procession for Late Supreme Leader

Four months after the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran has begun a massive, seven-day funeral process in the capital city of Tehran. The leader was killed on February 28 during airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel at the start of the ongoing war. According to NPR News, the ceremonies were delayed for several months due to the difficult conditions caused by the conflict.

Large crowds have gathered at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, a major prayer complex in Tehran, to visit the casket of the late leader. The caskets of four of his family members, who were also killed in the same strikes, were displayed alongside his. During the events, many mourners wore black and expressed their grief openly. Some people chanted slogans against the United States, while others carried flags representing groups like the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. A spokesperson for the funeral organizers stated that the event is intended to show the world that the Iranian government remains stable and maintains strong public support.

Foreign officials have traveled to Tehran to participate in the ceremonies. NPR News reports that representatives from several countries, including Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan, attended the events as the Ayatollah lay in state. A delegation from Hamas was also present. Notably, Saudi Arabia, which has had a long history of tension with Iran, sent a group to attend the funeral as well. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and the speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, were seen praying near the caskets. However, the current leader and son of the late Ayatollah, Mojataba Khamenei, has not been seen in public since he took over the position in March.

While the government seeks to project unity, the legacy of the late Supreme Leader remains a point of deep disagreement among the Iranian people. Ayatollah Khamenei had been in power since 1989 and was responsible for the growth of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, known as the IRGC. According to the Iranian human rights group HRANA, the IRGC was responsible for the deaths of at least 7,000 people during nationwide protests that began in December 2025. These protests were held against the government, and the memory of the violence continues to affect many citizens today.

For some Iranians, the funeral ceremonies bring little comfort. One 32-year-old woman, who spoke to NPR News on the condition of anonymity due to fear of government punishment, said that the leader continues to cause pain even after his death. Her brother was killed during the protests earlier this year. Other citizens, such as a 33-year-old woman named Fatmeh, described how the death of the leader has caused arguments within families. Fatmeh explained that her own mother views the Ayatollah as a central part of her religious life and fully supports the funeral, even as others in the family feel differently.

As the week continues, mourners will be able to visit the site in Tehran until the end of the weekend. On Monday, the body will be moved as part of a larger procession. The government hopes that these events will demonstrate the strength of the Islamic revolutionary power, but the mixed reactions from the public highlight a country that is still struggling with the effects of the war and its own internal divisions. The world is watching closely to see how this transition of power affects the future of the region, especially as the war between Iran and its opponents continues to influence daily life.