Iran: the funeral program of the former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei finally revealed

Iranian authorities announced on Saturday the official schedule for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, former Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to state television, the ceremonies will begin on July 4 in Tehran, continue on July 7 in Qom, a major center of Shia Islam, and conclude with his burial on July 9 in Mashhad, located in the northeast of the country.

Ali Khamenei passed away on February 28, 2026, at the age of 86, having led Iran for nearly thirty-six years. His long reign significantly impacted the contemporary history of the country, both politically and geopolitically.

The period between his death and burial is unusual considering Islamic traditions, which generally recommend a swift burial. Authorities attribute this situation to the wartime context that has affected the country for several months. They also intend to organize significant tributes worthy of someone who held the highest office in the Iranian state for over three decades.

A central figure in the Iranian regime since 1989, Ali Khamenei exerted a decisive influence on the political, military, and diplomatic directions of the country. Under his leadership, Iran strengthened its regional stature while maintaining a firm stance against the United States and Israel.

The ceremonies planned for July are expected to gather many political and religious figures, along with thousands of citizens coming to pay their last respects to the former Supreme Leader.