Tehran is preparing for the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with ceremonies beginning this Saturday [1].

The event marks the first major state funeral for the Iranian leader since his death in February, serving as a significant moment of national mourning and political signaling. Khamenei was killed on Feb. 28 [3] during U.S. and Israeli strikes.

Preparations are underway at the Grand Mosalla complex in Tehran [6]. Gardeners are maintaining the grounds, and banners have been placed on buildings to mark the occasion [1]. The body will lie in state starting July 4 [4], allowing the public to pay their respects.

The funeral process will span six days [5]. The events begin on July 4 [1] and will conclude with a burial on July 9 [2]. The final interment is scheduled to take place in Mashhad, the holy city located in northeastern Iran [2].

Iranian officials are organizing the period of mourning as a high-profile state event. The scale of the preparations suggests the government intends to use the proceedings as a show of power and unity following the loss of the Supreme Leader.

The delay between the death of the leader in February and the funeral ceremonies in July has been noted by observers. The current arrangements ensure a structured transition of mourning and public visibility for the state's leadership.

“The body will lie in state starting July 4”

The prolonged gap between Khamenei's death in February and his July funeral suggests a calculated effort by the Iranian state to stabilize internal power structures before a public farewell. By transforming the burial into a six-day state event, the government is attempting to project continuity and strength despite the vacuum left by the Supreme Leader's death.