The sixth and final day of funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, began on Thursday, July 9, with his mortal remains arriving in Mashhad after being flown from Iraq’s holy city of Najaf. He will be laid to rest at the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia imam, at 2 pm Iran time (4 pm IST) in accordance with his final wish.
Millions of mourners attended the funeral ceremonies held across Iran and Iraq over the past six days. Following farewell processions in Tehran and Qom, the coffin was taken to Iraq at the request of Iraqi religious scholars. Large crowds gathered in Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday before the body was flown to Mashhad. The burial schedule was revised after the funeral ceremonies in Iraq ran longer than expected.
Khamenei was killed on February 28 in the opening US-Israeli strikes on Iran, along with several members of his family and senior Iranian officials. His burial comes as renewed US strikes on Iran have raised fears of further escalation in the Middle East conflict.
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Streets of Mashhad fill with mourners
3:30 pm IST: Thousands of mourners gathered on the streets of Mashhad on Thursday ahead of the funeral procession and burial of Khamenei. The city witnessed a heavy security presence as crowds carrying Iranian flags and banners assembled for the final farewell before he is laid to rest.
Mourners welcome Khamenei’s remains at Mashhad Airport
2:53 pm IST:
Photos: Final funeral ceremonies draw crowds to Mashhad
2:50 pm IST:
Watch: Fighter jets escort aircraft carrying Khamenei’s remains
2:25 pm IST: Iranian fighter jets escorted the aircraft carrying the mortal remains of Khamenei and members of his family as it approached Shahid Hashemi Nejad Airport in Mashhad.
Watch: Mashhad Airport prepares to receive Khamenei’s remains
2 pm IST:
Tehran–Mashhad rail services suspended after US strikes
1:15 pm IST: Iran suspended passenger train services between Tehran and Mashhad on Thursday after what state media described as US strikes on a section of the railway line, hours before the burial of Khamenei, according to Tasnim News Agency.
Iranian Railways said operations on the route were halted after the attack, with technical teams deployed to repair the damaged section. Authorities said stranded passengers would be transported to Mashhad by road while restoration work continues.
Watch: Khamenei’s body flown from Iraq to Mashhad for burial
12:54 pm IST:
