Iran has initiated a multi-day funeral and burial ceremony for its late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, nearly four months after his assassination in February during the conflict involving the United States and Israel. The extensive observances, beginning in Tehran and continuing across several Iranian cities as well as Shiite holy sites in Iraq, are expected to draw tens of millions of mourners and foreign dignitaries, marking one of the largest state funerals in Iran’s history.

Khamenei, who led Iran for almost four decades, was killed in an airstrike targeting his residential compound in Tehran, alongside several family members including his eldest daughter, son-in-law, and a granddaughter. His son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who was seriously injured in the same attack and subsequently named Supreme Leader, has not been seen publicly since assuming the position in March, and it remains uncertain whether he will attend the funeral events.

The body of the late leader was placed at the Grand Mosalla prayer complex in Tehran, where officials and mourners gathered to pay their respects. Iranian state media broadcast images of prominent figures including President Masoud Pezeshkian, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Revolutionary Guard commander Ahmad Vahidi, who made a rare public appearance since the outbreak of the war. The ceremonies are taking place amid heightened security measures, including road closures, public transit adjustments, and a partial closure of Tehran’s airspace. Authorities have prepared thousands of tents and food distribution points, expecting a significant turnout over the six-day period.

The funeral procession will move through Tehran before proceeding to the cities of Qom and Mashhad in Iran and Najaf and Karbala in Iraq—important centers of Shiite Islam—culminating in Khamenei’s burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace. Officials anticipate up to 20 million visitors, including pilgrims from neighboring countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Several foreign delegations from over 50 countries, including Russia, China, Armenia, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, have confirmed attendance, reflecting Iran’s regional and international alliances.

The funeral carries significant symbolic weight for Iran’s government, acting as a demonstration of national unity and the theocratic regime's resilience after a prolonged period of conflict and internal unrest. Political analysts observe that the event is a crucial test for the new leadership’s ability to garner public support following a war that resulted in heavy casualties and infrastructure damage, as well as mass protests and ongoing dissent within Iran. Ultra-hardline factions have voiced opposition to recent ceasefire agreements with the United States, viewing them as undermining Khamenei’s legacy, though others in the political establishment see the ceremonies as a moment to consolidate legitimacy.

While state media have emphasized themes of martyrdom, revival, and steadfastness against foreign adversaries, sentiment among the Iranian populace appears mixed. Some mourners express genuine grief and reverence for the longtime leader, while others recall the decades of political repression, economic difficulty, and social strife under his rule.

The funeral arrangements had been delayed due to the initial war and fragile ceasefire, reflecting lingering security concerns. The event is set to be a key moment of reflection on Khamenei’s 37-year leadership and the future trajectory of Iran’s political and religious order under his son’s stewardship.