Historic Farewell to Ayatollah Khamenei; Delegations from 100 Countries in Tehran

Farewell Ceremony Begins at Tehran Musalla Today, Friday, July 3, 2026, the Grand Imam Khomeini Musalla in Tehran has become the center of global attention. The body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former leader of the Islamic Republic who lost his life during joint US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, 2026, has been transferred to this location for public farewell [1][3]. This ceremony, which was originally scheduled to be held in March, is being held with a four-month delay under a fragile ceasefire due to the continuation of extensive military conflicts and the state of war in the region [2][5].

Extensive Diplomatic Presence from 100 Countries International news agency reports indicate that officials and diplomatic delegations from about 100 countries have traveled to Tehran to pay their respects [1][4]. Notable figures present at today's ceremony include Cevdet Yilmaz, Vice President of Turkey, Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, and senior officials from Iraq, Russia, China, India, and Central Asian countries [1][3]. The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described this ceremony as an event of historical significance for the Islamic world and the region, reflecting the international dimensions of the late Iranian leader's personality [4].

Details of the Funeral Schedule in Iran and Iraq According to the timeline announced by the ceremony organizing committee, the funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei will be a six-day process. After today's and tomorrow's farewell ceremonies in Tehran, his body will be paraded through the streets of the capital on Monday and then transferred to the city of Qom [2][5]. In a symbolic move and at the request of Iraqi officials, the body of the former Iranian leader will be transferred to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq on Wednesday to be processed in the shrines of Imam Hussein and Imam Ali [2][3]. Finally, the burial ceremony will be held on Thursday, July 9, at the shrine of Imam Reza in the city of Mashhad, his birthplace [5].

Political and Security Atmosphere Surrounding the Ceremony This ceremony is held while Iran is undergoing a sensitive transition period under the new leadership of Mojtaba Khamenei, his son and successor [2]. The extensive presence of security forces and the complete closure of Tehran's airspace in the coming days indicate strict protective measures [3]. Iranian officials have described this ceremony as a "message of resistance" to the world, and between 15 to 20 million people are expected to participate in various ceremonies during these six days, making it the largest funeral in contemporary Iranian history [2][4].