Overview
- Iran has set a multi‑city state funeral running from July 3 to July 9 with the body lying in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, processions through Qom and Iraqi holy cities, and final burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.
- Authorities expect 15–20 million mourners and have mobilised police, army ground, naval and air units plus continuous air‑defence surveillance to manage crowds and protect visiting delegations.
- Tehran says the late leader’s remains were kept in refrigerated cold storage since February to respect religious bans on embalming while security conditions delayed burial.
- More than 30 countries and hundreds of foreign delegates have been invited, roughly 600 foreign journalists are expected to cover the events, and several Indian politicians including Mehbooba Mufti have confirmed attendance.
- Iran has lodged a formal UN protest over an Israeli threat to Mojtaba Khamenei and Qatari mediators say indirect US‑Iran talks in Doha will pause until after the funeral, making the ceremonies a focal point for security and diplomacy.