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Iran began a state funeral procession in Tehran for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday. The ceremony has become a test of public support and a flashpoint for revenge rhetoric and stalled diplomacy.
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Tehran,UPDATED: Jul 6, 2026 09:10 IST
Iran began a funeral procession in Tehran on Monday for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with authorities mounting a large public ceremony that is expected to draw crowds across the city. His flag-draped coffin, along with those of his family members killed in an airstrike on February 28 at the start of the war launched by Israel and the United States, is being carried on a truck through the capital.
The procession is taking the coffins through Tehran on the way to Mehrabad Airport, as Iran observes a period of mourning that began on Saturday and will continue till Thursday. During this period, authorities have shut streets, airspace and much of daily life, with Khamenei to be buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace.
Iranian state television reported that the procession had started. Iran's ruling establishment is seeking a large turnout for the ceremony across Tehran to project popular backing for the government.
At the same time, the United States is continuing with negotiations with Iran aimed at fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz, reducing its disputed nuclear programme and reaching a permanent end to the war. The talks, however, appear to be on hold until after the burial.
As the funeral ceremonies have continued, mourners have increasingly voiced calls to avenge Khamenei's death. Some mourners and signs carried by them have called for the killing of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
US federal authorities have for years tracked Iranian threats against Trump and other administration officials, linked to Trump's order for the 2020 killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who led the elite Quds Force. Iran has repeatedly denied plotting to kill Trump, though hard-line propaganda footage has long suggested that Trump was in Tehran's sights. During the war, Trump had also threatened to destroy Iran's civilisation.
"Today that we are here for the funeral for our leader, it's a very tough day," mourner Fatima Hassan said on Monday morning. "We are not here to say goodbye to him, we are here for revenge. And we will take revenge." Overall, the funeral procession in Tehran has combined public mourning, a show of state support and renewed tensions linked to the war and stalled diplomacy.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jul 6, 2026 09:10 IST
