Iran begins seven‑day state funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran has launched a seven‑day state funeral for the late Ayatollah [Name], beginning with a series of public mourning ceremonies in Tehran. The schedule includes a procession to the Imam Reza shrine, a period of lying in state, and a final burial at the Ayatollah’s family cemetery. Iranian officials have described the observances as a “national tribute” and have invited representatives from the government, the armed forces and religious institutions to take part.

More than 100 foreign delegations have arrived in the capital to attend the rites, among them envoys from neighboring Gulf states, European capitals and Asian nations. Their presence comes as the region observes a fragile ceasefire that was brokered earlier this month following heightened hostilities along Iran’s western border. Delegates have used the funeral as an opportunity to convey diplomatic messages, while security forces maintain heightened alert levels to manage both the large crowds and the broader security environment.

The state funeral proceeds under close international scrutiny, reflecting both Iran’s internal reverence for the religious leader and the delicate balance of regional tensions. Observers note that the turnout of foreign representatives underscores the Ayatollah’s influence beyond Iran’s borders, even as the ceasefire remains precarious and subject to ongoing diplomatic efforts.