Hezbollah and Hamas Leaders Attend Ayatollah Khamenei's Funeral in Tehran, Meet Iranian Foreign Minister
Several high-ranking officials from the Hezbollah and Hamas groups attended the funeral ceremony of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran on Saturday, 4 July 2026. The presence of delegations from these two Iranian-backed groups became a focal point during the final respects for the figure who led the Islamic Republic of Iran for over three decades.
In addition to participating in the funeral proceedings, the Hezbollah and Hamas delegations also held meetings with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Arachchi.
For years, Iran has been known to provide support to Hamas in Palestine, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthi group in Yemen. The United States and several Western nations have designated these three groups as terrorist organisations, making Tehran’s relationship with them one of the primary reasons Iran faces various international sanctions.
Hezbollah Delegation Led by Mohammed Fneish
The Hezbollah delegation attending the funeral procession consisted of several organisational officials as well as the families of members who were killed or injured. The group was led by senior Hezbollah official and former Lebanese minister, Mohammed Fneish.
The presence of the delegation demonstrates Hezbollah’s respect for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with whom the group has maintained close ties.
Hamas Sends High-Level Delegation
At the same time, Hamas also sent a high-level delegation to Tehran. In its statement, Hamas noted that the group was led by the Head of the Political Bureau, Mohammed Darwish. The delegation was also accompanied by several other members of the political bureau, including Bassem Naim.
The presence of Hamas leadership at the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reaffirms the long-standing relationship between Iran and the group. In July 2024, the then-Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an Israeli operation at his residence in Tehran after attending the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Thousands of Citizens Crowd Grand Mosalla
The funeral procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was centred at the Grand Mosalla religious complex in Tehran. Since the morning, crowds of citizens have flocked to the location to pay their final respects to the leader, who held supreme authority over various strategic policies in Iran during his tenure.
The funeral ceremonies are scheduled to continue until Sunday, 5 July 2026. The Iranian government has also declared that day a national holiday to allow the public to participate in the tribute proceedings.