Middle East live: Iran begins days-long funeral for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

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Middle East

Issued on: 04/07/2026 - 07:14Modified: 04/07/2026 - 08:20

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Iran on Saturday began a days-long funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The 86-year-old was killed in an air strike at the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran. Mourners wept when authorities unveiled the casket containing Khamenei’s body at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

Yesterday's key developments:

The body of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex on Friday.

Iran's new IRGC chief emerged from hiding to pay his respects to the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Tehran prepared for the days-long funeral ceremonies.

Several hundred people were already waiting on Friday evening outside the venue for the funeral of Iran's slain supreme leader.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AP and AFP)

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