Iran has announced that the burial of its late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will take place on July 9 at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, according to state media reports.
The funeral ceremonies are expected to begin on July 4 in Tehran, following multiple postponements of the burial arrangements. Iranian authorities said the delays occurred after Khamenei’s death, which they confirmed on March 1, a day after reported airstrikes on February 28.
Officials stated that the final burial will be held at the Imam Reza Shrine, one of the most sacred sites in Shia Islam, located in Mashhad. A national mourning period has also been declared in connection with the funeral proceedings.
The funeral procession is expected to pass through major cities including Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad, with each stage reportedly lasting up to 24 hours in line with the late leader’s wishes.
Authorities are also preparing for large crowds, with estimates suggesting that as many as 20 million people could participate in the ceremonies across different locations.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led Iran for 37 years, taking office in 1989 following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials have named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader, following a reported decision by the Assembly of Experts, which described the selection as the outcome of a decisive vote. The body also called for public support and loyalty to the new leadership to ensure national stability.