Iran Prepares for Historic Funeral of Ali Khamenei with Up to 35 Million Attendees

Iran is preparing for what is expected to be the largest state funeral in history for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The funeral ceremonies are scheduled to take place from July 4 to July 9, 2026, following a delay of over four months since Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on February 28 of this year. Iranian authorities estimate that between 18 and 35 million people will participate in various events across the country, with Tehran alone expecting around 20 million attendees and nearly two million vehicles.

The funeral procession will include several key stages: from July 4 to 5, Khamenei's body will lie in state at Tehran’s Grand Musalla for public viewing; on July 6, a massive procession will move through Tehran’s streets; on July 7, ceremonies will shift to the city of Qom; and the final burial will occur on July 9 at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city. Delegations and groups of believers from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and other countries have also announced their attendance to pay their respects.

The long delay between Khamenei’s death and the funeral announcement sparked speculation and criticism, as Islamic law requires burial within 24 hours. Officials cited ongoing war conditions and significant security concerns, including fears of air attacks or deadly crowd crushes like the 2020 funeral of Qassem Soleimani, as reasons for postponement. With reports of a potential peace agreement between Iran and the U.S., the regime now feels secure enough to hold the massive event.

Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounds Khamenei’s successor, his son Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed the new Supreme Leader but has remained largely out of public view. It remains unclear if Mojtaba will openly lead the funeral ceremonies. This monumental funeral not only marks a final farewell but also serves as a critical test of the regime’s stability under new leadership.