WANA (Jul 19) – More than 40 million people attended the funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late leader, marked as the largest funeral in human history, according to Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, Iran’s Deputy Interior Minister for Security and Law Enforcement.

 

Speaking at the 6th International Arbaeen Health Congress, Pourjamshidian stated that global media networks reported a combined turnout of tens of millions across the cities of Najaf, Karbala, Qom, Mashhad, and Tehran. He praised the Red Crescent Society for its flawless management of the historic event, calling its performance a global model.

 

Despite extreme temperatures exceeding 50°C (122°F) in Iraq and similar scorching conditions in Iran, the deputy minister confirmed that the funeral concluded without a single fatality. He attributed this success to strategic planning, which included the deployment of field hospitals, emergency stations, and emergency personnel positioned just 10 to 20 meters apart along the procession routes.

 

Pourjamshidian praised the Iranian Red Crescent for its vital domestic and regional roles, especially during recent conflicts. He highlighted rescue missions during a 12-day conflict and the “Ramadan War,” where staff risked lives to help wounded civilians, mainly women and children. He called it one of the most experienced and responsive relief groups globally.

 

Turning to upcoming regional events, the Deputy Interior Minister announced that approximately one million pilgrims have already registered for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage through the Central Arbaeen Headquarters. Turnout for this year’s pilgrimage is projected to match last year’s massive attendance.

 

Pourjamshidian concluded by emphasizing that the government’s current operations are strictly guided by the directives of the late leader. The administration’s top priorities for the pilgrimage remain ensuring absolute security across all travel routes, border crossings, and cities, alongside maintaining high health and safety standards in all pilgrim accommodations and transit points.

Mourners gather on the day of a public farewell ceremony to pay their respects to late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in Israeli and U.S. airstrikes, at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, in Tehran, Iran July 4, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)