Iran Finalizes Preparations for Khamenei Senior’s Funeral Amid Uncertainty Over New Leader’s Public Appearance

Four months after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a U.S.-Israeli strike on Tehran, Iran is completing extensive logistical, security, and diplomatic preparations for his funeral. The week-long procession will begin on July 4 in Tehran, continue through Qom, proceed to Iraq, and conclude on July 9 with burial in Mashhad near the Imam Reza shrine. The unusually delayed funeral has sparked speculation, with officials citing concerns over potential attacks and the need to accommodate millions of mourners, especially after the deadly 2020 funeral of Qassem Soleimani.

A key question remains whether Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly appointed Supreme Leader and Ali Khamenei’s son, will make a public appearance. Since his selection, Mojtaba has rarely been seen publicly and has not delivered any major speeches. No official confirmation has been given about his participation, making this event potentially his first public appearance as leader.

The Iranian government has formed a national committee led by First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, involving all government ministries, security forces, and local authorities to manage the event. Specialized committees handle security, logistics, transportation, infrastructure, communications, culture, foreign relations, and foreign delegations. Separate operational centers have been established in Tehran, Qom, and Khorasan Razavi provinces.

Notably, Iraq is officially included in the funeral procession, with the Iraqi government forming a special committee headed by the prime minister to oversee the coffin’s reception and mourning events in Najaf and Karbala. Iranian officials have coordinated with Iraqi leaders to finalize arrangements. The coffin’s transfer to Iraq reflects Mojtaba Khamenei’s religious status among parts of the Iraqi Shia establishment and fulfills his wish to visit the Imams’ shrines in Najaf during his lifetime.

More than 30 countries have confirmed participation, with representatives and religious leaders from over 90 nations expected, including countries from the resistance axis, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other Shia centers. The official list of attending heads of state has not yet been released. The funeral aims to demonstrate the Islamic Republic’s strength, reinforce national unity, and renew the public’s allegiance to the new Supreme Leader.