The initial phase of the burial proceedings for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, has commenced. As part of this process, his body has been placed at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran—the country’s largest venue for Friday prayers. Foreign dignitaries and various religious figures are paying their respects to the deceased leader.
Early this Friday morning, the bodies of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and those killed alongside him were brought to the Grand Mosalla mosque in Tehran. The bodies were placed in the main prayer hall, marking the beginning of the farewell ceremonies.
Among the first foreign guests to arrive and pay their respects were Islamic scholars and cultural figures from Indonesia and Afghanistan. Representatives from Iran’s recognized religious minority communities also attended the event to pay tribute to the late leader.
Khamenei was killed on February 28, the first day of the war initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated today that delegations from approximately 100 countries, along with prominent figures, civil society members, and representatives from various organizations, will participate in the burial ceremonies.
Baghaei noted that high-level delegations are arriving from neighboring countries. At least eight heads of government—including presidents and prime ministers—and parliamentary speakers from twelve nations will attend the proceedings. Additionally, many other countries are sending delegations led by foreign ministers, other cabinet ministers, or special envoys.
According to Baghaei, social organizations and prominent individuals from around 100 countries worldwide will also take part in the event.
Baghaei added that government delegations, dignitaries, and members of parliament from various Eastern European nations would be present at the farewell ceremony. However, European countries that officially supported the military attacks by Israel and the United States against Iran were not invited to the event.
Prior to this official farewell ceremony, a private farewell gathering was held yesterday evening, Thursday. Family members of those killed in recent conflicts and relatives of staff from the Supreme Leader’s office gathered there to bid farewell to the late leader.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called upon Iranians from all walks of life and backgrounds to participate in the farewell ceremonies.
In a message posted on the social media platform X, he wrote, “As heroic Iran prepares to bid farewell to a devoted servant of Islam and the Revolution, I urge all the people of the country—regardless of ethnicity, political views, ideology, or religion—to participate in this event spontaneously, with dignity, and in numbers that will be remembered in history. Through this, it will be possible to present an enduring image of national unity and allegiance to the lofty ideals of the Islamic state system.”
Iranian officials estimate that between 15 million and 20 million people may participate in the ceremonies spanning several days as part of the burial process.
Mourning ceremonies will continue tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday. During this time, the body will be placed at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla for the public to pay their respects. Subsequently, a mourning procession will be held in Tehran on Monday.
Following this, further religious ceremonies will be observed in the holy city of Qom. Commemorative events will later be held in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad, Karbala, and Najaf. Finally, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be laid to rest in Mashhad on July 9.
