Global Leaders Gather for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali KhameneI Funeral.
Officials from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the funeral ceremonies for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed the high-level international participation, including heads of state, parliament speakers, and foreign ministers. The events are described as a historic occasion for the Iranian people, drawing both dignitaries and large crowds from across the region.
The funeral proceedings will begin in Tehran on Friday morning with tributes from personalities and public groups. High-ranking foreign guests will join in the afternoon sessions. Ceremonies will continue over the following days at Imam Khomeini's Mosalla prayer hall, followed by a major procession on Monday. Additional rites are planned in Qom on July 7, with the body then transferred to Iraq before final burial in Mashhad on July 9.
Iranian authorities have declared public closures in Tehran from Saturday to Tuesday and announced Thursday as a national day of mourning. Baghaei noted that the farewell events will feature a significant turnout, reflecting the late leader's importance. Khamenei was killed in a US and Israeli strike in Tehran on February 28, after which his son Mojtaba was chosen as the new supreme leader in March.
The extensive global attendance underscores the significance of the occasion on the world stage. As Iran prepares for these solemn events, the focus remains on honoring the late leader while navigating the transition under new leadership. The ceremonies are set to be among the most widely observed in recent memory.
