Iran Prepares Grand Funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Across Three Cities
The Iranian government is currently preparing a series of funeral ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which are planned to be held in three major cities: Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad.
The Deputy Mayor of Tehran for Social and Cultural Affairs, Mohammad Amin Tavakolizadeh, stated that authorities estimate millions of mourners will attend the final tribute procession. He noted that approximately 15 to 20 million people are expected to crowd the Iranian capital during the series of events.
Tavakolizadeh explained that the funeral procession in Tehran will last at least 24 hours before proceeding to the city of Qom and subsequently to Mashhad. He added that Mashhad is likely to become a hub for pilgrims arriving from various countries, particularly from the South Asian region, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Bangladesh.
Regarding the final resting place of Khamenei, Tavakolisticadeh stated that the decision has been made in accordance with the wishes of his family. “In accordance with the will and recommendation of his relatives, the burial site of the martyred Imam (Ali Khamenei) will be adjacent to the holy shrine of Imam Reza,” he said, as reported by CNN on Wednesday.
According to reports from the Middle East Monitor, the funeral ceremonies are expected to take place at the end of Dhu al-Hijjah, around mid-June. Ali Khamenei reportedly passed away on 28 February following an airstrike, attributed to Israel and the United States, which struck his residence. During the incident, Khamenei reportedly died alongside his wife, a child, and a son-in-law.
The funeral arrangements were previously delayed due to an unstable security situation. Attacks involving the United States and Israel reportedly continued until early April, making the holding of the funeral procession impossible at that time. Currently, the United States and Iran are understood to be in a period of ceasefire, although ongoing peace negotiations between the two nations have yet to reach a final agreement.
Military escalation between the US and Iran increased following missile attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and Bahrain, threatening regional diplomacy and the ceasefire. Global oil prices rose by 1 per cent today, triggered by the resurfacing tensions between Iran and the US after the US fired upon a ship accused of violating the blockade of an Iranian port.
The United States has increased pressure on Iran once again, having fired missiles at a tanker ship alleged to have violated the blockade of an Iranian port on Tuesday (2/6). Moody’s economist Mark Zandi warned of the risk of a US recession if a peace agreement with Iran fails, as oil prices surged due to the threat of a closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, Oman is facing diplomatic pressure from the US, as President Trump has threatened sanctions or airstrikes if Oman supports plans for Iranian ship levies in the Strait of Hormuz.