The Iranian government organized a two-day funeral for the late former supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, set for July 4th and 5th.
This announcement came with stern warnings directed at the United States and Israel, urging them to refrain from any attacks during the funeral period.
Ali Abdullahi, an Iranian military commander, emphasized the risks for Iran’s adversaries, particularly the United States and Israel, cautioning against any missteps that could provoke a decisive response. His remarks were featured in a statement released by state media.
The Iranian state-controlled Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that the “first phase” of Khamenei’s funeral began Friday morning, with his remains being moved to the main chapel of the Grand Mosala Mosque alongside those of his “comrades.”
According to IRNA, representatives from various Islamic centers, civil society organizations, and anti-war movements in several European nations, such as Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, Denmark, and Austria, ventured to Tehran to cover the ceremony.
A report from euro news mentioned that delegations from around “30 countries,” including high-ranking officials and heads of state, were expected in Tehran for the funeral.
Notably, Russia is sending Dmitry Medvedev, a former president and current deputy chairman of the Security Council, as a special envoy for President Vladimir Putin. China has responded by dispatching the vice chairman of its National People’s Congress.
The Taliban government in Afghanistan will be represented by Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan al-Muttaqi, and there are reports that Prime Minister Hassan Akhund and National Resistance Front leader Ahmad Masoud may participate as well.
From Iraq, the delegation includes President Nizar Amidi and Speaker of Parliament Haybet al-Harbousi, along with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani.
Among the confirmed attendees are Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashiniya of Armenia, President Mikheil Kavelashvili of Georgia, and President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan. There are also speculations regarding visits from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tair Rahman.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai mentioned that European leaders were not invited due to their “shameful” backing of U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran. Instead, Syria and nations aligned with Iran were welcomed, even though some of those countries faced unfounded attacks from Iran earlier this year.
Khamenei’s body will be on display at the mosque until Monday, after which a funeral procession will take him through Tehran.
Further ceremonies are planned in the holy city of Qom, as well as in Baghdad, Karbala, and Najaf, culminating in burial in Mashhad on July 9, as noted by IRNA.
His final resting place will be the Imam Reza Mausoleum in Mashhad, a significant pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims, where the eighth imam of Shiite Islam is honored.
Various ceremonies and memorials will reportedly follow Khamenei’s burial for another 40 days, according to Iranian state media.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on all Iranians through social media to attend the funeral, encouraging participation regardless of ethnic, religious, or political differences, emphasizing a portrayal of national unity.
According to BBC reports, Iranian authorities have mandated the closure of all public and private offices in Tehran from Saturday to Monday, with significant traffic restrictions in the city center during this period. Additionally, Tehran’s airspace will see partial closure starting Friday and full closure on Monday.
Officials in Iran pointed out that this event honoring Khamenei was initiated by “Iraqi organizations,” and Foreign Minister Abbas Aragushi was sent to Baghdad to coordinate efforts related to this “symbolically significant” occasion.
Khamenei was killed at the outset of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, when an Israeli airstrike targeted numerous high-ranking officials, advisors, and their families. His son, who is seen as his successor, suffered serious injuries and has remained out of the public eye since, although there have been occasional statements purportedly from him. There’s considerable speculation about whether he will attend his father’s funeral and the implications if he chooses not to do so.
