Tehran: The third day of funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei began in Tehran on Monday, July 6, with a funeral procession through the Iranian capital. The 10-kilometre procession is expected to last between 10 and 12 hours, with organisers describing it as the largest public gathering in Iran’s modern history.
The procession began at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex, where Khamenei had lain in state for the previous two days. It passes through Imam Hussein Square, Enqelab Square and Azadi Square before concluding near Mehrabad Airport.
Funeral ceremonies will continue in the holy city of Qom on Tuesday, 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.
Several media organisations have reported that cumulative attendance at the funeral events since Friday, July 3, has surpassed 10 million, although the figure has not been officially confirmed by Iranian authorities.
Latest updates here
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.
