Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran’s Mosalla area to mourn the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressing grief and chanting slogans calling for the destruction of America and revenge, according to a BBC report. Iran’s state television said the six-day state funeral ceremonies began on Saturday. Before Khamenei’s coffin arrived, large crowds had already assembled, many carrying red flags and placards symbolizing calls for vengeance.

The ceremony drew religious figures, government officials, and foreign dignitaries who paid their respects. Among them were Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev, and Afghanistan’s Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Representatives from Iraq, Armenia, Turkey, and Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman also attended.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Washington had given Tehran one week to bury the former leader, describing the gesture as an act of goodwill. Khamenei, who ruled Iran for nearly 37 years, was killed on February 28 during the early stages of U.S. and Israeli attacks, with his burial taking place more than four months later.

Iran’s current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei did not attend his father’s funeral, sparking widespread discussion. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Paul Musgrave, an associate professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, suggested that security concerns likely influenced the decision. He said Iran feared that Israel might target the leadership again during a large public gathering such as a funeral.

Musgrave noted that Israel has previously used funerals or mourning events to strike political figures. He added that while Tehran’s security concerns are understandable, the long-term challenge for Iran is to ensure the Supreme Leader’s visible presence before the public. According to him, Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen publicly for several months, and the government must eventually demonstrate that he is actively leading the country.

Musgrave concluded that balancing security precautions with the need for public visibility remains a key political challenge for Iran’s leadership.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has warned that Tehran will not tolerate the military presence of non-regional powers in the Strait of Hormuz. His statement came as France and the United Kingdom announced their readiness to deploy joint forces to ensure safe navigation through the vital waterway.

In a post on social media platform X, Gharibabadi said Iran considers itself responsible for the security of the strait and will take any military activity there seriously. He emphasized that the security of the Strait of Hormuz lies in the hands of the coastal nations and warned that those who create problems will face consequences.

France and the United Kingdom, in a joint statement, described the Strait of Hormuz as a crucial maritime route for the global economy. They said ensuring safe passage for all nations’ vessels is a matter of global importance and confirmed that Oman has agreed to cooperate with them to maintain maritime safety in the area.

At least 13 countries refrained from attending the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, reportedly due to intense pressure from the United States. According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the countries that stayed away include several from Eastern Europe, Africa, the Persian Gulf, and East Asia. Some governments later attempted to explain their absence through diplomatic channels, but Tehran rejected those explanations.

The report cited an unnamed senior source claiming that US officials conducted a five-day “comprehensive campaign” to discourage foreign delegations from traveling to Tehran for Khamenei’s memorial. On June 26, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio allegedly issued a secret directive instructing all American embassies to warn host governments that attending the funeral would be considered an “unfriendly act” and could harm bilateral relations. Two Arab diplomats told Tasnim that Rubio personally discussed the issue with at least five Arab foreign ministers, while US ambassadors in Africa reportedly warned that participation could jeopardize American development aid.

The funeral took place four months after the start of Iran’s war with the United States and Israel, drawing millions of mourners across the country.

Iran’s Defense Minister Majid Ibn Reza announced that Tehran is ready to enhance defense cooperation with Pakistan. He made the statement during a meeting in Tehran with Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The Iranian minister thanked Pakistan for its principled stance in supporting Iran and emphasized the need to strengthen security and defense collaboration between the two nations.

During the meeting, Majid Ibn Reza also highlighted the importance of building a regional security framework and working jointly against threats originating from Israel. In response, Asim Munir expressed condolences over casualties caused by attacks from the United States and Israel and reaffirmed the historical, cultural, and fraternal ties between Iran and Pakistan.

Asim Munir further noted that defense cooperation between the two countries is progressing well and will continue to grow stronger in the future, referencing the Iranian defense minister’s earlier visit to Islamabad.

Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran’s Enghelab Square and Grand Mosalla Complex to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Many carried red flags, a traditional Shia symbol representing bloodshed and a call for revenge. The crowd chanted slogans including “Death to America” and demanded retribution for Khamenei’s killing.

According to Mohammad Eslami, a researcher at the University of Tehran quoted by Al Jazeera, Khamenei’s followers raised the red flags as a sign of their demand for revenge. He explained that they want the Iranian government to punish those responsible for killing their supreme leader. Eslami added that Khamenei was not just an ordinary national leader but a figure of far greater significance.

The event underscored the depth of public mourning and the symbolic use of religious imagery in expressing collective anger and loyalty toward Khamenei’s legacy.

Iran held a state funeral for its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking not only his death but also the end of an era that shaped the country’s political and institutional foundations for nearly four decades. Khamenei, who assumed leadership in 1989 after the Iran-Iraq war, centralized power across the armed forces, judiciary, state media, and key appointments.

Under his leadership, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) became a dominant force in Iran’s security, politics, and economy. Khamenei’s insistence on Iran’s right to enrich uranium, while denying any intent to build nuclear weapons, led to repeated U.S. and European sanctions. His regional strategy of supporting allied governments and resistance groups expanded Iran’s influence but deepened tensions with Gulf Arab states and the United States.

Khamenei was killed on February 28, 2026, during the first day of conflict with the United States and Israel. Iranian officials described the assassination as an attack on the nation’s heart, while many followers fear his death could weaken the current system of governance.

Iran has opened more than 5,000 schools in Tehran to accommodate participants attending the funeral of the country’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. The announcement was made by Iran’s Minister of Education, who said that around 40,000 to 50,000 classrooms across the country have been prepared to welcome guests.

According to the report, more than 20 million people, including representatives from over 100 countries, are expected to gather in Tehran for the funeral ceremony. The large-scale preparations reflect the government’s effort to manage the massive influx of mourners and foreign delegations.

The event underscores the national and international significance of Khamenei’s leadership and the scale of public participation anticipated in the mourning ceremonies.

Iran has begun the funeral ceremonies for its late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on February 28. Authorities expect around 20 million mourners to attend the farewell events in Tehran and other cities. To feed the massive crowd, Iran’s Basij paramilitary force has prepared 50 million loaves of bread through 16 mobile bakeries. The government has also deployed 2,500 ambulances, 21 helicopters, 100 drones, and arranged 20,000 classrooms for accommodation.

Tehran has implemented its largest-ever traffic plan, banning private vehicles and installing over 6,000 water sprinklers at the Mosalla complex to mitigate the July heat. The Interior Minister said the goal is to stage the largest farewell ceremony in Iran’s history, showcasing the Islamic Republic’s endurance and resistance. However, the large-scale event has caused severe traffic congestion and fuel shortages in the capital.

Foreign dignitaries from Pakistan, China, Turkey, Russia, and other countries attended the ceremony, while no Western officials were invited. Khamenei’s son and current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Ali Khamenei did not attend due to security threats from Israel.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a strong warning on Friday, saying any attack or attempt to strike Iran in the coming days would be met with a severe response. The warning comes as the country prepares for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The IRGC stated that any hostile action against Iran would provoke a harsher and more destructive retaliation than before.

The alert follows remarks by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who said Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was a potential assassination target. Iran fears possible attacks during the funeral, which is expected to draw millions of mourners and foreign dignitaries. Reuters footage showed increased security patrols in Tehran, and Iran announced a complete closure of its airspace on Monday.

Former Israeli intelligence officer Danny Citrinowicz told media that Iran is concerned about threats from both air and ground. The country also faces internal risks from Kurdish, Arab, and Baluch separatist groups, as well as the exiled opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq, which Tehran accuses of past attacks.

Bangladesh National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikrom attended the state funeral of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. The ceremony, held at the Grand Musalla, was marked by solemn prayers for the late leader. On behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh, the Speaker conveyed condolences to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior leaders, signing the condolence book afterward.

Prior to the funeral, Speaker Ahmad met with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf for a bilateral meeting. He condemned the killing of the Iranian leader and reaffirmed the historic friendship and cultural ties between Bangladesh and Iran. Ahmad also praised Ghalibaf’s constructive role in implementing the recently signed peace memorandum between Iran and the United States, expressing hope that it would bring lasting peace and stability to the region.

During his visit, Ahmad met Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, who sought Bangladesh’s assistance in developing cricket in Iran. The Speaker also invited Ghalibaf to visit Bangladesh and later gave an interview to Iran Radio’s Bangla section, discussing bilateral and regional issues.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Al-Khuraiji made an unannounced visit to Tehran to attend the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Leading a high-level delegation, Al-Khuraiji paid respects on behalf of Saudi Arabia, marking a rare gesture amid strained relations between the two regional powers.

The participation of the Saudi delegation drew significant international attention, as relations between Riyadh and Tehran had recently become tense. In March, Iran had carried out multiple attacks on U.S. bases located in Saudi Arabia, prompting strong condemnation from Riyadh. At that time, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud urged Iran to reconsider its strategy and warned that Gulf states had limited tolerance for such actions.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that the Saudi delegation’s unexpected presence at Khamenei’s funeral could signal a new message in the evolving geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East.

Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be buried alongside four of his family members during state funeral ceremonies that began on July 3, according to an Al Jazeera report. The funeral and burial proceedings started the previous night, with large-scale mourning processions planned. Diplomats and representatives from nearly 100 countries are expected to attend the events.

The report stated that several of Khamenei’s relatives, including his daughter, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and a three-year-old granddaughter, were killed in a joint U.S.-Israel airstrike on February 28 and will be buried with him. Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced that European countries which supported the U.S.-Israel military operation were not invited to the state funeral.

The national mourning will continue for several days, with memorial services beginning tomorrow. The funeral procession will pass through Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala before concluding in Mashhad, Khamenei’s birthplace, where the final burial and remembrance ceremonies will take place.

Iran has organized a large-scale farewell ceremony for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking the end of his nearly four-decade-long influence over the country’s politics, religious leadership, and regional geopolitics. The government is presenting the event as a demonstration of national unity, with President Masoud Pezeshkian describing the public turnout as a strong response to terrorism and oppression. The ceremony extends beyond Iran, with related events in Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala attended by senior Shia leaders and high-level delegations from countries including Russia, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Tehran aims to use the event to signal that the foundations of the Islamic Republic remain firm despite the leadership transition. The farewell serves as the first major test for the new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, providing a platform to establish his legitimacy. Military officials have stated that the massive participation demonstrates that the late leader’s path continues under new leadership.

Through this nationwide mobilization, Iran seeks to affirm institutional stability, public support, and the continuity of its political and religious unity.

Saudi Arabia formally paid tribute to Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday, July 3, 2026. A high-level Saudi delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Walid El Khuraiji attended the ceremony in Tehran to offer condolences. According to international media reports, Qatar, Iraq, Yemen, Oman, and Lebanon also officially expressed their respects to Khamenei.

However, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates had not paid tribute as of the latest reports. The source noted that during recent Iran–United States tensions, U.S. military bases in those three countries experienced the highest number of Iranian attacks.

Despite a long history of diplomatic tension and rivalry, the Saudi delegation’s presence in Tehran is being viewed as a significant diplomatic gesture in Middle Eastern politics.