Iran has announced that the funeral procession of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei will travel through Iraq before concluding with his burial in Iran next month.
Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani said farewell ceremonies and funeral events will be held between July 4 and July 9. The schedule begins in Tehran on July 4, followed by a ceremony in the holy city of Qom on July 7. The procession will then move through Iraq on July 8 before ending in Mashhad, Khamenei's hometown in northeastern Iran, where he will be buried on July 9, per a report by News18.
Ceremonies planned across Iran and Iraq
Speaking in a video carried by Iranian state media and cited by News18, Zakani confirmed that events would take place in Iraq on July 8, although he did not provide details about the locations that would be included in the route.
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Iraqi authorities have not publicly commented on the announcement.
Iraq holds special significance for Shia Muslims as it is home to some of the faith's holiest sites, including the shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf and the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala.
Preparations for large crowds
Iranian authorities are preparing for what they expect to be one of the largest public gatherings in the country's history.
Zakani said nearly 20 million people could participate in the ceremonies in Tehran. He claimed the capital had “never had such a large crowd in its history".
Officials have begun preparations for large-scale events across the cities included in the funeral programme.
Burial delayed by conflict
Khamenei, who led Iran for nearly 37 years, was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28 during the opening stages of the conflict. Reports said several members of his family were also killed in the attack.
His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was reportedly injured during the strikes, succeeded him as supreme leader in early March. He has not yet made a public appearance since assuming the role.
The burial was initially expected to take place in March but was postponed because of the war.
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The funeral ceremonies are scheduled to begin on July 4, the same day the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its Independence Day celebrations.
FAQs:
When will Ali Khamenei be buried?
Khamenei's burial is scheduled to take place in Mashhad on July 9.
Why is Iraq included in the funeral procession?
The route includes Iraq, home to important Shia religious sites such as Najaf and Karbala.
