The atmosphere on the first day of the funeral for Ali Khamenei, Iran's former Supreme Leader who died following a U.S.-Israel operation in late February, was grand. Citizens and representatives from several countries attended.
On 3 July 2026 GMT+7, the first day of Ali Khamenei's funeral, Iran's former Supreme Leader who passed away after a U.S. and Israeli operation in late February, was marked by grandeur. A massive crowd of citizens and delegations from various countries gathered in Tehran to pay their respects. Authorities expect over 20 million participants throughout the multi-day ceremony.
The ceremony was held at the Grand Mosalla religious center in Tehran, where Khamenei's coffin, draped with the Iranian national flag, was placed for public homage before being transported to several sacred cities in Iran and Iraq. The burial will take place in Mashhad, the late leader's hometown, on 9 July.
Iranian state media reported that leaders and delegates from numerous countries attended the funeral, including representatives from Russia, China, Pakistan, and regional allies. A notable event was the attendance of Walid al-Kurayji, Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister, signaling an important diplomatic gesture amid the recent thaw in relations between the two nations.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, attending as a special envoy of President Vladimir Putin, laid flowers at the coffin and met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi before the official ceremony began.
Iranian authorities stated the funeral will continue over several days, expecting millions of citizens and foreign delegates to pay tribute to the former leader who ruled for over three decades. The event also serves as a signal of Iran's unity following conflicts with the U.S. and Israel.
. Source: Aljazeera