Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral ceremonies are scheduled to begin in Tehran on July 4 and will continue over several days before concluding with his burial in Mashhad, his hometown and one of Iran's most important religious cities, on July 9, according to reports carried by state media. The funeral programme is expected to include a series of official and religious ceremonies attended by political leaders, clerics, and members of the public.
In addition to the events planned in Tehran, commemorative ceremonies will also be held in the holy city of Qom on July 7. The arrangements are being organised on a national scale, reflecting Khamenei's status as the country's highest political and religious authority for more than three decades. Authorities have indicated that multiple events will take place across key locations before the final burial in Mashhad.
According to the report, Khamenei was killed on February 28 during the first day of Israeli and US airstrikes against Iran. The 86-year-old cleric had served as the Supreme Leader of Iran for 36 years and was regarded as one of the most influential figures in the country's modern history. His death marked the end of a long period of leadership during which he played a central role in shaping Iran's domestic policies, regional influence, and international relations.
Although Islamic tradition generally requires burial to take place as soon as possible after death, often within twenty-four hours, exceptions are permitted in extraordinary circumstances such as war, security concerns, or major state events. The extended schedule for Khamenei's funeral reflects the exceptional circumstances surrounding his death and the significance of his position within the Islamic Republic.
During his decades in power, Khamenei oversaw Iran's emergence as a major regional force and maintained a firm stance against the United States and its allies. Under his leadership, Iran expanded its influence across the Middle East through strategic alliances and proxy groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon. At the same time, his administration faced criticism from opponents and international observers over its handling of political dissent and domestic unrest.
Khamenei remained a vocal critic of the United States throughout his tenure. Successive American administrations attempted to engage Iran on issues such as its nuclear programme, but long-standing disagreements frequently prevented a lasting resolution. The dispute over Iran's nuclear ambitions remained one of the defining geopolitical issues of his leadership.
The report further states that the airstrike, which killed Khamenei, destroyed his central Tehran compound. It also claims that his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was injured in the attack and later succeeded his father as Supreme Leader. At 56 years of age, Mojtaba is said to have assumed leadership during a period of significant uncertainty and conflict for the country.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict appear to be gathering momentum. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Saturday that Iran and the United States had reached a framework for a peace agreement after more than three months of war. According to Sharif, both sides are expected to sign an initial deal within the next twenty-four hours, potentially paving the way for broader negotiations and efforts to restore stability in the region.
The reported peace initiative is being viewed as a potentially important development in efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East. While details of the proposed agreement have not yet been publicly disclosed, observers believe that any breakthrough between Iran and the United States could have far-reaching consequences for regional security, international diplomacy, and global energy markets.
