WANA (Jul 01) – The Iranian government has unveiled a multi-stage program for the farewell, funeral procession, and burial of the country’s Supreme Leader. The ceremonies will take place over seven days across Iran and Iraq, in what officials have described as one of the largest national, religious, and international events in the history of the Islamic Republic.

 

Mohammad Reza Pourjamshidian, secretary of the National Funeral Headquarters, said the funeral was scheduled several days after the leader’s death due to security considerations and the need to prepare for an event “on a national and global scale.”

 

According to him, the final plan was approved following coordination between Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the Office of the Supreme Leader, and the country’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei. Iranian officials have described the ceremony as “a historic event” that they say will serve as a lasting record for future generations.

 

A National Headquarters Coordinating the Entire State Apparatus

To organize the ceremonies, the government has established a National Funeral Headquarters headed by the First Vice President, with the Interior Ministry serving as its executive coordinator.

 

The headquarters brings together government ministries, security and military organizations, municipalities, public institutions, and civil organizations. Specialized committees have been formed to oversee security, logistics, infrastructure, international affairs, media, cultural activities, and the overall execution of the ceremonies.

 

Separate executive headquarters have also been established in Tehran, Qom, and Razavi Khorasan Province, while provincial governors across the country have been tasked with coordinating the transportation and participation of visitors traveling to the ceremonies.

A woman walks past a banner with a picture of the late Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a street in Tehran, Iran June 7, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

A Funeral Spanning Five Cities Across Two Countries

Unlike most state funerals, which are held in a single city, Iran’s plans extend across five major cities in two countries.

 

The ceremonies will begin in Tehran, continue in Qom, move to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, and conclude with the funeral procession and burial in Mashhad. Iranian officials say the itinerary reflects the national, religious, and transnational significance they attach to the event.

 

Iraq to Play a Major Role

Pourjamshidian said the Iraqi government has also established a high-level committee headed by the office of the prime minister, following coordination with Iraq’s president, prime minister, parliament speaker, and other senior officials.

 

According to Iranian officials, Iraq will host an official reception for the coffin before funeral ceremonies and pilgrimage rites are held in Najaf and Karbala.

 

Pourjamshidian said one of the reasons for transferring the body to Iraq was requests from Iraqi officials, tribal leaders, and religious groups who regarded Iran’s late Supreme Leader as their religious authority. He added that holding ceremonies in Iraq is also intended to emphasize the late leader’s religious standing beyond Iran’s borders.

A woman holds an image of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a rally in Tehran, Iran, June 1, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Funeral Schedule

  • July 3: International Official Ceremony

The official program will begin on July 3 in Tehran with a ceremony welcoming foreign delegations, heads of state, political leaders, and religious figures.

 

Officials say representatives from more than 30 countries have already confirmed their attendance, while religious leaders, scholars, and representatives of different faiths from over 90 countries have also expressed their intention to participate.

 

Public delegations from Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and several other Muslim-majority countries are also expected to attend.

 

  • July 4: Public Farewell Begins

Beginning at 6:00 a.m. on July 4, Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla will open its doors to the public for a continuous 24-hour farewell ceremony.

 

Authorities expect very large crowds from across Iran to travel to the capital.

 

  • July 5: Funeral Prayer

The second day will be dedicated to funeral prayers for the Supreme Leader and members of his family, after which the public farewell ceremony will continue.

 

  • July 6: Main Funeral Procession in Tehran

The largest funeral procession will take place in Tehran on July 6.

 

Officials expect massive crowds from across Iran as well as neighboring countries. Rather than following a single street, the procession will move through a broad corridor covering a large section of the capital.

 

  • July 7: Gathering in Qom

On July 7, funeral prayers will be held at the Jamkaran Mosque in the holy city of Qom.

 

Officials say the site was selected because of its large surrounding open spaces capable of accommodating vast crowds. A funeral procession may also be held in Qom if conditions permit.

 

  • July 8: Transfer to Iraq

On July 8, the coffin will be transferred to Iraq.

 

An official reception attended by Iraq’s prime minister, senior government officials, military commanders, and religious leaders will be held before funeral and pilgrimage ceremonies take place in Najaf and Karbala.

 

  • July 9: Final Ceremony and Burial in Mashhad

The final stage of the funeral will take place in Mashhad.

 

Following a funeral procession, the Supreme Leader will be buried near the shrine of Imam Reza, one of Shiite Islam’s holiest sites.

A woman holds a picture of the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a rally in Tehran, Iran, May 29, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Political and Religious Objectives

Pourjamshidian stressed that the ceremonies are intended to serve purposes beyond a traditional state funeral.

 

According to him, the government views the event as an opportunity to demonstrate the Islamic Republic’s strength, reinforce national unity, promote solidarity across the Muslim world, strengthen the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” and reaffirm allegiance to Iran’s new Supreme Leader.

 

Nationwide Public Holidays

To facilitate public participation, the government has declared several public holidays.

 

Under the announced plan, Tehran Province will be closed on July 4 and 5, July 6 will be a nationwide public holiday, Qom Province and Tehran will be closed on July 7, and July 9 has been declared a national day of mourning across Iran.

 

Officials: The Ceremony Will Be Driven by Public Participation

The secretary of the National Funeral Headquarters emphasized that the event is intended to be driven primarily by public participation rather than government organization.

 

He said religious organizations, universities, civic groups, labor organizations, student associations, mosques, and ordinary families are expected to play a central role, while the government’s responsibility will largely be to coordinate and support their efforts.

The symbolic chair and a picture of the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, are displayed near his office in Tehran, Iran, May 6, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Preparing to Host Millions

Officials say extensive preparations are underway in anticipation of exceptionally large crowds.

 

Participants have been urged to rely on public transportation rather than private vehicles. Tehran’s metro system will operate around the clock free of charge during the ceremonies, while public buses will also provide free transportation.

 

Large parking areas have been established on the outskirts of Tehran for visitors arriving from other provinces to reduce congestion in the city center.

 

Authorities also announced that live video feeds of the ceremonies will be broadcast on large public screens throughout the city, allowing participants to follow the proceedings without crowding around the funeral cortege.

A woman holds a poster of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel rally, amid a ceasefire between U.S. and Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 19, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Advice for Participants

Given the expected summer heat, organizers have advised participants to bring drinking water, refillable water bottles, umbrellas, hats, and other protective items.

 

Officials have also urged mourners not to push toward the coffin or the funeral vehicle, stressing that public safety will take precedence throughout the ceremonies.

 

Citizens Asked to Help Host Visitors

One of the most notable aspects of the government’s plan is its reliance on public participation in hosting visitors.

 

Pourjamshidian said government facilities alone would not be sufficient to accommodate the expected number of participants. He therefore called on families, mosques, religious centers, universities, schools, and community institutions to offer accommodation and resting places for visitors whenever possible.

 

He also asked government offices and private institutions located along the funeral routes to keep their doors open so participants could access drinking water, prayer rooms, rest areas, and restroom facilities.

Iranian people attend a ceremony marking 40 days since the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in Israeli and U.S. strikes, in Tehran, Iran, April 9, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

A Call to Welcome Foreign Guests

Pourjamshidian also urged Iranians to extend special hospitality to foreign delegations and visitors attending the ceremonies.

 

Referring particularly to Iraqi pilgrims, he said that just as millions of Iranian pilgrims are warmly welcomed by Iraqis during the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, Iranians should now demonstrate the same spirit of hospitality toward international guests attending the funeral.

 

The Islamic Republic has made clear that it does not view these ceremonies merely as a state funeral. Instead, officials are presenting them as a political, religious, social, and diplomatic event.

 

The participation of foreign delegations, the transfer of the coffin to Iraq, ceremonies spanning two countries, the public pledge of allegiance to the new Supreme Leader, and the large-scale mobilization of state institutions and civil society all suggest that Tehran intends to use the occasion not only to mourn its late leader, but also to project continuity in its leadership and demonstrate the Islamic Republic’s domestic and regional organizational capacity.