Start of Funeral Ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran

In Tehran, Iran, a crowd gathered at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque on Saturday, July 4, 2026, for the commencement of the funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the late Supreme Leader of Iran. Khamenei, 86, died months earlier in an airstrike that marked the beginning of the war. His death has brought a significant number of people to the capital.

The authorities displayed Khamenei’s casket in a glass case at the Grand Mosalla. Mourners expressed their grief, some voicing calls for revenge. Many held banners and flags, and billboards throughout the city showed Khamenei’s image. Grieving men participated in chest-beating, a traditional practice at Shiite funerals.

I am here to say goodbye to my beloved leader Ali Khamenei, shared Hananeh Mousavi, 27, attending with her mother. I never expected to see such a day. I wish I had died before this tragedy.

An outdoor stage at the Grand Mosalla mirrored the one where Khamenei delivered speeches at his compound, which was destroyed in the Israeli airstrike. The caskets of his family members were displayed beneath his, with his black turban marking his descent from the Prophet Muhammad. Iranian religious leaders and mourners paid their respects to the slain leader and his family.

The Iranian government anticipates millions will flock to Tehran, similar to when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was buried in 1989. Organizers provided water and cold drinks to help people cope with the summer heat.

We attended the funeral to show that we are all committed to defend our country and religion, said Ali Kazemi, who traveled from Tabriz, 530 kilometers away.

This large turnout is crucial for Iran as it seeks leverage over the Strait of Hormuz in talks with the United States for a permanent war resolution. Concerns remain about potential Israeli attacks.

The funeral began on July 4, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States. While authorities did not comment on the timing, chants of Death to America! were heard during the ceremony. U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the timing in his speech from Mount Rushmore, saying, We knocked the hell out of Iran and acknowledging the week of mourning.

In Tehran, mourners held flags, including one reading: #KillTrump. Khamenei’s casket will travel through cities in Iran and Iraq, with Iranian authorities closing streets and airspace in Tehran for the event.

The new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has not confirmed his attendance at the funeral. His late wife was among those displayed at the ceremony. In response to threats against Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s military command has issued a warning to Israel and the U.S. to avoid any threats over the coming days.