WANA (Apr 09) – Commemoration ceremonies marking the 40th day after the martyrdom of Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, are being held on Thursday April 9, with widespread public participation in Tehran and simultaneously in cities across the country.

 

The event, held forty days after his death in a targeted attack attributed to the United States and Israel, has become one of the largest mourning gatherings in recent weeks.

 

The ceremony symbolically began at 9:40 a.m.—coinciding with the exact time of the assassination—and is scheduled to continue until 8:00 p.m.

 

In Tehran, mourning processions started early in the morning from various routes, especially from Enghelab Square, moving toward the site of the assassination. Meanwhile, since last night April 8, religious groups and mourning assemblies had already begun moving after the evening prayers from mosques and religious halls toward main squares and designated mourning locations.

 

Field observations indicate that a considerable number of people had gathered at designated locations even before the official start of the ceremony, and the number of participants has continued to increase over time.

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)

The central streets of the capital—especially those leading to the site of the assassination—have been filled with mourners chanting elegies and performing religious rituals to honor the memory of the former leader of the Islamic Republic.

 

At the same time, reports indicate that similar ceremonies are being held across the country. In many cities, mourning processions have taken to the streets and religious centers to perform Arbaeen rituals, with some areas witnessing large public gatherings.

 

As part of today’s programs, a prayer for the well-being of Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) will be recited nationwide at 9:00 p.m., accompanied by a recorded voice of the late leader. Additionally, according to official announcements, further memorial ceremonies are scheduled for Friday (April 10) starting at 10:00 a.m. in large prayer grounds across the country.

 

Ayatollah Khamenei was killed approximately 40 days ago in a targeted attack in Tehran—an incident that occurred at his location and immediately triggered widespread domestic and international reactions.

 

The United States and Israel have been identified as the perpetrators of the attack, which marked the beginning of a war imposed on Iran that lasted for forty days.

Massive Public Turnout on the 40th Day After the Assassination of Iran’s Leader. Social media /WANA News Agency

Regional Reactions and Consequences

The assassination of Iran’s leader, as an unprecedented event, has generated widespread reactions across the region and the world, and has been described by many analysts as a turning point in the geopolitical developments of the Middle East.

 

Holding Arbaeen ceremonies for the former leader of the Islamic Republic, within the framework of the Arbaeen religious tradition, is seen as an effort to redefine this event as a “historical-ideological” moment.

 

Within this context, the large public turnout in today’s ceremonies has been presented by organizers as a sign of continued popular support and a renewed pledge of allegiance to the political and ideological path of  the system.

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)