Khamenei's Body Flown to Mashhad Under Fighter Jet Escort for Burial

The aircraft carrying the coffin of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, landed in the holy city of Mashhad on Thursday ahead of his burial. Footage published on the supreme leader’s official website showed at least one fighter jet escorting the plane carrying his remains. Separate footage broadcast by the official IRNA news agency showed the Mahan Air aircraft taxiing on the runway after landing in Mashhad, his birthplace. The body was flown from Iraq, where a series of final tribute ceremonies took place, with large crowds joining funeral processions in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. The remains of several of Khamenei’s family members were also transported from Iraq following the same processions. The burial in Mashhad will conclude days of massive funeral rites. Khamenei’s body had previously lain in state in Tehran before being taken through the streets of the capital and other holy cities in Iran, as well as to Shia holy cities in Iraq. Millions of mourners reportedly attended the funeral ceremonies, which were also joined by foreign delegations from dozens of countries. As the ceremonies entered their final day, Iran was engaged in renewed exchanges of fire with the United States. The funeral, held four months after his death, comes as Washington intensifies attacks on Iranian targets. US President Donald Trump, who announced the end of the US-Iran ceasefire, warned of ‘far worse’ attacks if Iran continued targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Khamenei died on 28 February, the first day of the combined US and Israeli strikes that initiated the war. Mashhad Governor Hassan Hosseini estimated that 15 million people would attend the burial procession. The ceremony was initially scheduled for Thursday morning but was delayed to the afternoon due to delays in the Iraqi ceremonies. Khamenei will be interred at the Imam Reza shrine complex, Iran’s most revered religious site, in accordance with his will. The complex has been the burial place of prominent figures for centuries, including former Shahs of Iran and former President Ebrahim Raisi. Khamenei will be laid to rest alongside his infant granddaughter, son-in-law, daughter, and the wife of his son Mojtaba, all of whom were killed in the US-Israeli strikes on 28 February.