West Asia War LIVE: Huge crowds expected at former Iran leader Khamenei's funeral procession

Home

News

World

Thousands had filled the Grand Mosalla, where they paid their respects to Khamenei and four family members, all killed on February 28 in Israeli airstrikes based on U.S. intelligence

Updated - July 06, 2026 06:41 am IST

Mourners gather during funeral ceremonies for slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family at Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran, on July 5, 2026.

| Photo Credit:

AP

Massive crowds are expected on Monday (July 6, 2026) for the funeral procession of late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran, with authorities hoping to avoid a repeat of the chaos that accompanied his predecessor’s funeral.

After lying in state in Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex for two days, Khamenei will be processed through the city for 10 to 12 hours starting at 6:00 am (0230 GMT), organisers said.

Thousands had filled the Grand Mosalla on Sunday, where they paid their respects to Khamenei and four family members, all killed on February 28 in Israeli airstrikes based on US intelligence.

It is unclear what level of access and proximity the public will have during the procession, but authorities are mindful that in 1989 they were forced to use a helicopter to transport Khomeini for burial after mourners stormed his vehicle, causing his burial shroud to tear and his body to fall to the ground.

Follow live updates below:

July 06, 2026 06:41

Free drinks, electro music at fete-like Khamenei funeral

With electronic music blaring and free food and drinks on offer at hundreds of stalls, the area around late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies in Tehran on Sunday had the feel of a summer festival.

Volunteers provided fruit juice and water under a scorching sun in the capital’s city centre, on the second day of ceremonies honouring Khamenei and four of his family members killed on February 28 in US-Israeli airstrikes.

At one stall, dozens of women in black chadors waited in line as three teenagers prepared trays of chips behind the counter. The display had no prices or menu, just portraits of some of the Islamic republic’s “martyrs”.

The atmosphere was noisy, with electronic music mixed with Khamenei speeches and religious chants praising Imam Hussein, a revered early Shia leader.

The lively ambience stood in contrast to the solemn character of the nearby Grand Mosalla religious complex, where mourners have been paying their respects at Khamenei’s coffin.

- AFP

July 06, 2026 06:40

Huge crowds expected at Iran leader's funeral procession

Massive crowds are expected on Monday for the funeral procession of late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran, with authorities hoping to avoid a repeat of the chaos that accompanied his predecessor’s funeral.

After lying in state in Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex for two days, Khamenei will be processed through the city for 10 to 12 hours starting at 6:00 am (0230 GMT), organisers said.

Thousands had filled the Grand Mosalla on Sunday, where they paid their respects to Khamenei and four family members, all killed on February 28 in Israeli airstrikes based on US intelligence.

As well as laying to rest the man who ruled the Islamic republic for more than three-and-a-half decades, the funerals are a chance for Iran’s authorities to burnish their resilience after five weeks at war with Israel and the United States.

- AFP

Published - July 06, 2026 06:39 am IST