Iran Holds Multi‑Day State Funeral for Ali Khamenei

Overview

• Public ceremonies began in Tehran this weekend, with the caisson displayed at the Grand Mosalla and officials opening a public wake that sources place on Saturday.
• A tightly managed six‑day itinerary will move the body through Qom, Najaf and Karbala before burial in Mashhad on July 9, according to official schedules.
• The government has mobilized tens of thousands of security personnel, closed major roads and restricted airspace while organizing transport, lodging and food to produce mass turnout.
• Mojtaba Khamenei, named successor in March, has not appeared in public since the February strike that killed his father and reportedly wounded him, leaving questions about visible leadership consolidation.
• Officials cast the rituals in Shiite martyrdom terms to show resilience and regional reach, but analysts note deep public discontent from sanctions, economic hardship and large protest waves that complicate claims of unanimous support.