Iran has held the burial ceremony for Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader, at a shrine in his hometown, concluding the six-day funeral proceedings without the appearance of the new Supreme Leader, who has never been seen publicly.
On Thursday, 9 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Iran conducted the burial of Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader, who was assassinated in an airstrike by the United States and Israel more than four months ago. This occurred amid renewed attacks between the US and Iran, raising fears of a full-scale war reigniting.
Amid chaotic scenes, Khamenei’s coffin was moved into the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, his hometown in eastern Iran, where a massive crowd gathered outside to listen to prayers. However, there was still no sign of Mojtaba Khamenei, his son and designated successor.
The burial in Mashhad marked the final day of the prolonged six-day funeral. The ceremony was closely watched for any sign of Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since his appointment as successor.
State television footage showed Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament and chief negotiator with the US, influential Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Eje'i, and Mostafa Khamenei, Ali Khamenei’s eldest son, all attending the ceremony.
However, as with other days of the funeral, there was no sign of Mojtaba Khamenei. Since being named the new Supreme Leader, he has communicated only through written statements. Rumors suggest he was injured in the February 28 attack that killed his father and other family members.
The burial took place on the second day of intense retaliatory strikes between the longstanding adversaries. Iranian officials reported US attacks killed 17 people, targeting locations including the railway between Tehran and Mashhad and firing rockets near Iran’s nuclear power plant.
Meanwhile, Iran launched attacks on US assets and bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Air raid sirens blared in Jordan, another US ally, where the Jordanian military announced it intercepted eight missiles launched from Iran.
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Source:cna