Thousands of mourners gathered in the Iranian holy city of Qom on Tuesday as funeral ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei entered their fourth day. The events are part of a multi-city farewell that began in Tehran and will conclude with his burial in Mashhad on Thursday.
The funeral proceedings have drawn large crowds across Iran and are being closely watched both domestically and internationally as the country continues its political transition following Khamenei’s death.
Large Crowds Attend Prayers at Jamkaran Mosque
According to Iranian state television, aerial footage showed the streets of Qom crowded with mourners heading toward the Jamkaran Mosque, where Khamenei’s remains were lying in state.
A special prayer service was led by Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi-Amoli, with thousands of people attending the gathering. During the ceremony, participants chanted slogans commonly heard at official state events, including “Death to America.”
Television footage also showed mourners—including senior clerics—paying their respects beside the coffins of Khamenei and four of his family members who were also killed in the same airstrike.
Procession Moves Toward Fatima Masooma Shrine
Following the prayers, a funeral procession carried the coffins through the city toward the mausoleum of Fatima Masooma, the sister of Imam Reza (AS), one of the most revered religious sites in Iran.
The procession marked another major stage in the nationwide funeral ceremonies, which began with a massive public gathering in Tehran on Monday.
Iranian authorities have described the events as an opportunity for citizens to pay their final respects while emphasizing national unity following the recent conflict.
Khamenei Funeral Procession Begins in Tehran as Iran Prepares for Massive Crowds
Funeral Events to Continue in Iraq
The funeral programme will continue on Wednesday with commemorative ceremonies in the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, reflecting Khamenei’s religious significance within the wider Shiite Muslim world.
The final stage of the ceremonies is scheduled for Thursday, when Khamenei will be buried in his hometown of Mashhad, one of Iran’s holiest cities.
Attention Remains on Iran’s New Leadership
While several senior Iranian officials and members of Khamenei’s family have participated in the funeral events, attention has remained focused on his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since assuming the position of Supreme Leader earlier this year.
Iranian officials have previously stated that Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in the airstrike that killed his father, although they have not disclosed the extent of his injuries. It remains unclear whether he will attend any of the remaining funeral ceremonies.
One of Iran’s Largest Public Farewells
Monday’s funeral procession in Tehran drew enormous crowds, with observers comparing the turnout to the funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led Iran for more than three decades and played a central role in shaping the country’s domestic governance, foreign policy, and regional influence. His death marks the end of a significant chapter in Iran’s modern history, while the ongoing funeral ceremonies continue to attract widespread public participation ahead of his final burial in Mashhad.
