Iran Prepares for Massive Funeral Week for Leader Ali Khamenei

Iran is preparing for an extensive week-long funeral procession for its late leader Ali Khamenei, starting today and concluding next Thursday. The ceremonies will take place across several key cities including Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad, with a possible stop in Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. Authorities expect up to 20 million people to participate in the various events.

The funeral will be a state event of unprecedented scale in the Islamic Republic’s history. Security forces, including the Basij and the Revolutionary Guards, are organizing a large-scale defensive operation to manage the crowds, transportation, and logistics. Preparations include potential flight cancellations, large parking and reception areas, and the use of schools, mosques, sports halls, and universities as temporary accommodations.

In the lead-up to the funeral, Iranian officials held meetings with foreign delegations and allied groups such as the Amal Movement, which is allied with Hezbollah. For the first time since the war began, Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Vahidi appeared publicly at a meeting with Iran’s president, parliament speaker, and other senior officials to discuss funeral preparations. Vahidi was also seen visiting Tehran alongside Khamenei’s coffin.

The schedule includes a tribute to foreign representatives in Tehran today, public farewell ceremonies over the weekend, a central funeral procession on Monday, ceremonies in Qom on Tuesday, and burial in Mashhad on Thursday. The event occurs amid heightened tensions between Iran, the US, and Israel, with Iranian security forces issuing explicit warnings to both countries.

A major question remains whether Iran’s new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Vahidi will appear publicly during the funeral events. High-ranking Iranian officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, are expected to attend.

Summary: Iran is holding a massive week-long funeral for its late leader Ali Khamenei, with millions expected to attend across multiple cities and extensive security preparations underway amid regional tensions.