Iran is nearing the conclusion of a week-long public mourning period for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, with thousands gathering at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla for funeral prayers.
The ceremony, postponed because of the conflict in West Asia that began on February 28, drew large crowds carrying Iranian flags, portraits of Khamenei and red flags associated with revenge. Throughout the event, mourners chanted slogans including ‘Death to America’, ‘Death to Israel’ and ‘Kill Trump and Bibi’, reflecting the anger that has followed the leader’s death.
Following the Tehran ceremonies, Khamenei’s body is scheduled to be taken to Qom, then to two holy cities in Iraq, before its final burial in Mashhad, his birthplace.
Funeral marked by calls for retaliation
Alongside tributes to Khamenei, the ceremony featured repeated calls for revenge against the United States and Israel.
During a poetry recital before the funeral prayers, poet Mohammad Rasouli addressed the gathering, saying, ‘From now on the shroud is our garment. I swear by your blood; Trump’s murder is our responsibility.’
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He also questioned why Donald Trump was still alive and said it would be shameful if those responsible for Khamenei’s death were not punished. His remarks received loud applause from many in attendance, although some reactions were more restrained.
Messages displayed near the coffins included one written in English that read ‘Kill Trump.’ The crowd also repeatedly chanted, ‘No compromise, no surrender, only revenge.’
Senior Iranian leaders attend ceremony
The funeral prayers were led by 97-year-old Ayatollah Ja’far Sobhani of Qom.
Prayers were also offered for four members of Khamenei’s family, including his daughter-in-law Zahra Haddad Adel and his 14-month-old granddaughter Zahra Mohammadi Golpaygani. The infant’s coffin became one of the most emotional moments of the ceremony.
Several senior political, military and judicial leaders attended the event. Among them were Al-Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Ahmad Vahidi, whose presence was seen as a sign of confidence that the current ceasefire with the United States would hold.
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However, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed Supreme Leader 10 days after his father’s death, did not attend the funeral. His brothers Mustafa, Massoud and Meysam stood beside their father’s coffin instead. Iranian officials said Mojtaba had been injured during the attacks but denied reports claiming he had suffered permanent facial injuries or an amputation.
Iranian officials reaffirm defiance
Senior officials used the occasion to stress that Khamenei’s death would not weaken Iran’s resolve.
Iran’s ambassador to Armenia, Khalil Shirgholami, wrote on X, ‘You killed Ayatollah Khamenei, but in reality you broke a bottle of perfume, the fragrance of which has now spread everywhere.’
National Security Council Secretary Mohammed Bagher Zolghadr said the funeral conveyed two clear messages, continued resistance against Iran’s adversaries and a commitment to avenge the slain leader.
Large crowds gather despite extreme heat
The prayer hall, which can accommodate around 30,000 people, was filled before sunrise despite temperatures crossing 36 degrees Celsius. Many mourners wore white burial shrouds, or kaffan, to symbolise their willingness to sacrifice their lives.
Although authorities did not release official attendance figures, unofficial estimates suggested that more than two million people participated on the opening day of the mourning ceremonies.
Many attendees travelled from different parts of the country and stayed in schools, mosques, offices and private homes that had been converted into temporary shelters. Volunteers distributed meals, tea and fruit juice to visitors throughout the day.
Speaking to The Guardian, Leila Ahmadi from Boyer-Ahmad said, ‘We will fight the Americans with pitchforks if necessary.’
Another attendee, 70-year-old book translator Husain Dehghan, said many Iranians continued to respect Khamenei despite criticism from Western countries. He added that differences with the government did not mean people supported foreign intervention.
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A resident identified as Ibrahim Kalim, who said he narrowly survived an Israeli airstrike, also expressed the view that while many Iranians wanted reforms, they believed those changes should come from within the country rather than through outside involvement.
First published on: Jul 06, 2026 11:47 AM IST
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