TEHRAN — Iranian authorities are preparing a three-day public funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed earlier this year during the opening phase of the 2026 war between Iran and the United States and Israel.
According to Iranian state media outlet IRIB, Tehran Deputy Mayor Mohammad Amin Tavakolizadeh said funeral ceremonies will be held across Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad, with a 24-hour memorial event planned in the capital. Authorities are reportedly preparing for an unprecedented turnout, with estimates suggesting that as many as 20 million people could participate in the ceremonies.
The funeral had initially been expected shortly after Khamenei’s death but was repeatedly postponed due to the ongoing conflict and logistical challenges associated with accommodating large crowds. Iranian officials have since established a special committee to coordinate what state media has described as a “grand” national farewell.
A Dominant Figure in Modern Iran
Born in 1939 in the northeastern city of Mashhad, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei emerged as a leading figure of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. He served as Iran’s president from 1981 to 1989 before succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as the country’s second Supreme Leader in June 1989.
Over nearly four decades in power, Khamenei became the most influential figure in Iran’s political and religious system, overseeing the country’s military, judiciary, state broadcasting apparatus, and key strategic policies. His tenure was marked by tensions with the United States and Israel, expansion of Iran’s regional influence through allied groups across the Middle East, and periodic domestic unrest that was often met with harsh crackdowns.
Supporters viewed him as the guardian of the Islamic Republic and a symbol of resistance to foreign pressure, while critics accused him of suppressing dissent and consolidating authoritarian rule.
Death During US-Israeli Strikes
Khamenei was killed on February 28, 2026, when US and Israeli forces launched a large-scale coordinated military campaign against Iranian leadership, military, and strategic targets. His compound in Tehran was among the sites struck during the opening wave of attacks. Iranian state media confirmed his death the following day.
The strikes also killed several senior Iranian military and political figures, marking one of the most significant blows to Iran’s leadership since the establishment of the Islamic Republic. The Iranian government declared an extended period of national mourning following his death.
Khamenei was 86 years old. His death ended a 37-year tenure as Supreme Leader and ushered in a period of political transition in Iran.
Final Farewel
The upcoming funeral is expected to be one of the largest public gatherings in Iran’s modern history. Ceremonies in Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad are intended to allow citizens from across the country to pay their respects before Khamenei’s final burial. Iranian authorities have yet to announce the exact dates of the ceremonies.
