Khamenei Funeral Ceremonies Begin in Tehran as Foreign and Afghan Figures Attend

Mourners carry the coffin of Iran’s slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran on July 3, 2026. Preparations for the funeral of Khamenei were in full swing on July 3, with authorities expecting millions and a coterie of foreign dignitaries to attend the official ceremony. (Photo by Atta KENARE / AFP) / Public funeral and mourning ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began on Friday in Tehran, with senior Iranian officials and foreign delegations attending the opening events at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla. President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei were among the senior officials who paid respects during the ceremony. Iranian media reported that delegations from nearly 100 countries were expected to attend the multi-day funeral events. The ceremonies are part of a schedule announced by the special commission overseeing the funeral and burial. Events are expected to continue in Tehran through Monday, then move to Qom on Tuesday, before proceeding to Karbala and Najaf in Iraq on Wednesday. The processions are scheduled to conclude in Mashhad on Thursday, where Khamenei’s body is expected to be buried at the Imam Reza shrine, in line with his will. Khamenei, who served as Iran’s Supreme Leader for nearly four decades, was killed on 9 Hoot 1404 in the Solar Hijri calendar during the first wave of U.S. and Israeli strikes on the leader’s residence in Tehran, according to Iranian media reports. Several members of his family were also reported killed in the same attack, including his daughter Bashri, his daughter-in-law Zahra Haddad Adel, a son-in-law and a 14-month-old granddaughter. Iranian media have reported that nearly 3,500 people were killed in the broader conflict, including Khamenei and around 40 senior military and political officials. Khaama Press could not independently verify the full casualty figure. Following Khamenei’s death, Mojtaba Khamenei was selected as Iran’s new Supreme Leader. He did not appear publicly at Friday’s ceremony in Tehran, and Iranian media released no images or statements from him during the day. A representative of the leader in India told India Today that Mojtaba Khamenei would not attend public events for security reasons. Some Iranian officials have said he was wounded in the strikes on the leader’s residence. During the ceremony, Iranian Army Commander Amir Hatami said the conflict with the United States and Israel had strengthened the resolve of Iran’s armed forces. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also issued a statement warning that any new miscalculation by adversaries would face a stronger response. Foreign attendees reported by Iranian media included the president of Turkmenistan, Iraq’s president and parliament speaker, Armenia’s prime minister, Pakistan’s interior minister, a deputy chairman from China’s National People’s Congress and representatives of several regional organizations. Indirect talks between the United States and Iran have reportedly been paused until after the funeral processions. The discussions have been linked to the ceasefire, Iran’s nuclear program, regional tensions and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Afghanistan was represented by figures from different political sides. A Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, deputy prime minister for economic affairs, and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in Tehran on Thursday night and met President Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the events. Separately, Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front, and Mohammad Mohaqiq, leader of the Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan, attended the official funeral ceremony in Tehran. Iranian media, including Tasnim, published images showing the two Afghan political figures at the ceremony. Their presence drew attention because Iran hosted figures from rival Afghan political camps at the same high-profile event. It also reflected Tehran’s continued engagement with different Afghan actors at a time of regional uncertainty. The funeral ceremonies are being closely watched across the region because of Iran’s influence in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Gulf and wider Middle East politics. The events come after a recent war, continuing economic pressure, leadership transition questions and ongoing tensions with the United States and Israel. The post Khamenei Funeral Ceremonies Begin in Tehran as Foreign and Afghan Figures Attend appeared first on Khaama Press.