Tehran: The third day of funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei concluded in Tehran on Monday, July 6, after a 10-kilometre procession through the capital that drew massive crowds. The Financial Times, citing estimates, reported that between 12 million and 15 million people attended the funeral so far, making it the largest funeral in modern history.
The cortege travelled from Tehran’s Grand Mosalla through Imam Hussein Square, Enqelab Square and Azadi Square before departing for the holy city of Qom.
Funeral ceremonies will continue in Qom on Tuesday, July 7, followed by commemorative processions at the shrines of Imam Ali in Najaf and Imam Hussein and Hazrat Abbas in Karbala on Wednesday, July 8.
Khamenei is scheduled to be laid to rest at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad on Thursday, July 9, in accordance with his final wishes.
Latest updates here
Khamenei’s body arrives in Qom
11:21 pm IST: Khamenei’s body arrived in the holy city of Qom on Monday night after the funeral procession in Tehran concluded, marking the next stage of the funeral ceremonies.
The procession will remain in Qom overnight ahead of Tuesday’s programme, with prayers and a funeral procession scheduled before it is taken to the shrine of Shrine of Fatima Masumeh.
Jamkaran Mosque prepares for Tuesday ceremonies
10:46 pm IST: Images from Jamkaran Mosque showed worshippers gathering hours before the ceremonies. Iranian media reported that the atmosphere at the mosque was building around nine hours before the official start of Tuesday’s, July 7, farewell events.
According to Iranian media, funeral prayers are expected to begin at around 6 am local time (8 am IST) followed by a procession from Jamkaran Mosque to the Shrine of Fatima Masumeh.
Procession departs Tehran for Qom
7:28 pm IST: Iran’s official KhameneiNews account announced that the funeral ceremony in Tehran had reached its final moments, saying the cortege had departed the capital.
The account wrote, “The gentlemen have left from Tehran,” marking the conclusion of the funeral procession for Khamenei. The funeral ceremonies will now continue in Qom.
Mourners carry posters targeting Trump and other US figures
6:48 pm IST: Videos circulating online from Tehran showed some mourners carrying large posters depicting US President Donald Trump and several American public figures, including conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, with red crosshairs over their faces. The posters also displayed the message: “Sooner or later, your heads will roll.”
Less than half an hour left for Tehran funeral procession
6:36 pm IST: Iranian reported that less than half an hour remained before the conclusion of Khamenei’s funeral procession in Tehran.
Large crowds continued to accompany the procession, carrying Iranian flags and walking alongside the cortege as it neared its conclusion before the bodies are taken to Qom for the next stage of the funeral ceremonies.
Metro records 16 million trips during funeral period
6:03 pm IST: Tehran’s metro network recorded 16 million trips during the farewell and funeral period for Khamenei, according to Fars News Agency.
The agency reported that more than 11 million passengers had been transported on the metro since the funeral ceremonies began, while a total of 16 million trips were recorded across the network during the same period.
No deaths reported among mourners: Tehran emergency chief
5:58 pm IST: Tehran’s emergency chief said no deaths had been reported among mourners attending the funeral procession of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The official said two cases of acute injuries had been recorded so far. One involved a person with a pre-existing heart condition, while the other involved a pregnant woman who was being airlifted by rescue helicopter for medical treatment.
Funeral procession to continue until 5 pm
4:31 pm IST: Brigadier General Hassan Hassanzadeh, commander of the IRGC’s Greater Tehran Command and head of the committee overseeing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies, said the procession would continue until 5 pm local time (7 pm IST), moving from Azadi Square to Shahid Lashkari Highway before the bodies are taken to Qom ahead of the Maghrib prayer.
Hassanzadeh said organisers had intended to route the vehicle carrying the bodies through Enghelab Street, but were unable to do so because of the massive crowds. He apologised to mourners waiting in eastern Tehran, saying the vehicle could not reach the area due to the large turnout.
Iran official says revenge for Khamenei comes first
4:19 pm IST: An Iranian official said on Monday that talks with the United States were being held only out of “necessity”, adding that Khamenei remained Iran’s top priority.
“Our first word is revenge,” said Ezzatollah Zarghami, a member of Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace. He said any response should “discipline the enemies” and ease public anger over Khamenei’s killing.
Zarghami added that negotiators should know that nothing less than “serious, clear and decisive revenge” for Khamenei’s killing would be acceptable.
Watch: Elderly woman from Shiraz bids farewell to Khamenei
3:55 pm IST: Fars News Agency shared a video of an elderly woman from Shiraz making her way through the funeral procession of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a crouched position using her hands and legs. She had travelled a long distance to attend the ceremony, declined offers of assistance and came to pay her final respects to the late leader.
Trump effigy hung during Tehran funeral procession
3:36 pm IST: Participants in the funeral procession for Khamenei were seen carrying and hanging an effigy depicting US President Donald Trump in Tehran on Monday. Videos shared on social media showed the effigy being displayed above the crowd as mourners continued the procession through the capital.
IRGC chief Vahidi rode motorcycle during procession
3:15 pm IST: A video circulating on social media and shared by multiple accounts purports to show IRGC chief Ahmad Vahidi riding a motorcycle during the funeral procession for Khamenei in Tehran.
Khamenei’s granddaughter’s father calls funeral procession ‘angelic’
3:04 pm IST: The father of Khamenei’s granddaughter, Zahra Golpayegani, who was killed alongside members of the family, said “angels are present in the funeral procession of the martyrs” as mourners gathered in Tehran.
Funeral procession reaches Tehran’s Azadi Square
2:35 pm IST: The funeral procession carrying the caskets of Khamenei and those killed alongside him reached Azadi (Freedom) Square in Tehran on Sunday, marking the final stage of the public funeral ceremony.
Flower petals, confetti shower over funeral caskets
2:25 pm IST: As the procession advanced through Tehran, mourners showered flower petals and confetti over the flag-draped caskets carrying Khamenei and members of his family. Crowds lined both sides of the route, waving Iranian flags, holding portraits of the late leader and chanting as the ceremonial vehicle passed.
Nearly 2 million Tehran Metro trips recorded in under two hours
1:40 pm IST: Tehran’s metro system recorded 1,972,328 passenger trips in less than two hours as mourners travelled to attend the funeral ceremonies of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Iran’s Fars News Agency.
More photos from Khamenei’s funeral procession
1:26 pm IST:
SNSC secretary says mourners vowed ‘resistance’ and ‘revenge’
1 pm IST: Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr said mourners attending the funeral of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei chanted slogans calling for “resistance against enemies” and “revenge for the blood” of the late Supreme Leader.
In a post on X, Zolqadr wrote, “Keep your eyes on Iran these days. This is the same Iran that you thought you could bring to its knees in just a few days.”
Army chief vows to pursue accountability
12:50 pm IST: Iranian Army Chief Major General Amir Hatami said Tehran would continue pursuing accountability over the killing of Khamenei. Speaking during the funeral ceremonies, Hatami said those responsible “must know” Iran would persist in seeking justice and would continue its efforts until “results” were achieved.
Iran thanks India for attending funeral ceremonies
12:42 pm IST: The Iranian Embassy in India thanked the Government of India and its official delegation for travelling to Tehran to attend the funeral ceremonies of Khamenei.
In a post on X, the embassy expressed its “heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation” to the Government and people of India, particularly the official delegation, for participating in the ceremonies and paying tribute to Khamenei.
Photos: Funeral procession through Tehran
12:29 pm IST:
Watch: ‘We Will Kill Trump’ banner unfurled during procession
12:02 pm IST:
Anti-Trump placards appear at procession
11:48 am IST: Images from the funeral procession showed mourners carrying portraits of Khamenei, waving Iranian and religious flags, and holding banners along the route. Some participants also displayed placards bearing anti-US messages, including one reading “Trump Must Be Killed,” as the procession moved through the capital.
Crowds fill Tehran streets
11:40 am IST: Tasnim reported heavy turnout along the procession route, describing the crowds as so dense that there was “not even room to drop a pin” in some areas. Videos from the scene showed mourners carrying Iranian flags and portraits of Khamenei while accompanying the procession through the capital.
Mourners chant during procession
11:35 am IST: Iranian media said mourners chanted “Labbaik Ya Husayn” as the vehicle carrying Khamenei’s coffin passed through Tehran. Footage released by the agency showed people lining both sides of the route, waving flags and paying their respects.
Funeral route to be revisited by helicopter
11:32 am IST: Brigadier General Hassan Hassanzadeh, head of the committee overseeing the funeral ceremonies, urged mourners to remain along the procession route, saying the vehicle carrying Khamenei’s body would pass over the route once again by helicopter after the ceremony concluded.
First Vice President joins procession
11:28 am IST: Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref joined the funeral procession in Tehran, according to Tasnim. Image released by the agency showed Aref walking alongside other officials as the ceremonies continued.
Coffin vehicle enters funeral procession route
11:25 am IST: The vehicle carrying the flag-draped coffins of Khamenei and members of his family entered the funeral procession route in Tehran on Monday, according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.
Massive crowds gather at Revolution Square
11:16 am IST: Iranian media reported massive crowds at Tehran’s Revolution (Enqelab) Square as mourners joined the funeral procession. Videos from the scene showed people carrying Iranian flags and portraits of Khamenei as the procession moved through the capital.
Flag-draped coffin carried on ceremonial vehicle
11:14 am IST: Ahead of the procession, Iranian media released images of the specially prepared vehicle carrying Khamenei’s flag-draped coffin through Tehran. The vehicle was adorned with designs resembling the ornate grille surrounding a revered Shia shrine and also carried the coffins of members of Khamenei’s family killed in the February 28 airstrike at the start of the Iran-Israel-US conflict.
