Iran has begun a week-long [1] funeral ceremony for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei across five cities [2].

The events serve as a critical display of national unity and defiance toward the U.S. and Israel following the violent conflict that claimed the leader's life. The absence of the new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, from these high-profile ceremonies has raised questions about the stability of the current leadership.

Funeral events are taking place at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla and four other cities across two countries, including Iran and India [3]. Millions of mourners are expected to attend the processions [4].

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in February 2026 [5], on the first day of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. The official ceremonies began this week, four months [1] after his death.

The scale of the event is intended to send a message of strength despite internal political divisions. While the state seeks to project a cohesive front, the continued absence of Mojtaba Khamenei remains a focal point for observers monitoring the transition of power.

Authorities have coordinated the multi-city schedule to maximize public participation and visibility. The processions aim to memorialize the slain leader while reinforcing the ideological continuity of the Iranian state during a period of active warfare.

“Millions of mourners are expected to attend the processions.”

The gap between the death of Ali Khamenei in February and the July funeral ceremonies suggests a prolonged period of political consolidation or logistical instability following the U.S.-Israeli strikes. The absence of Mojtaba Khamenei during a moment of peak national mobilization may indicate internal power struggles or a strategic effort to shield the new leader from public scrutiny during a volatile transition.