Iran has begun the first phase of the official janaza for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28.
On Friday morning, July 3, 2026, his body, along with those of his companions, was brought to Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, where high-level delegations from 100 countries are attending the event.
The remains have been laid inside the main prayer hall for a two-day public viewing, giving citizens a chance to offer their tributes. International officials and spiritual leaders have likewise been making their way to the Grand Mosalla. According to Press TV, among the earliest foreign attendees were religious clerics and cultural representatives from Indonesia and Afghanistan.
Addressing reporters on Friday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that high-ranking missions, political figures, and civil society envoys from close to 100 nations were taking part in the farewell rites, media reports said.
“Our neighbouring countries have sent very high-level delegations to Tehran,” Baghaei said. “At least eight presidents or prime ministers and the speakers of parliament from 12 countries will attend in person. Many other countries have also sent their foreign ministers or special envoys.”
However, he added that European countries which had officially supported the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran were not invited to the ceremony.
According to the report, Ayatollah Khamenei was killed on the first day of a 40-day war that began against Iran on February 28. A private farewell ceremony involving officials from his office and the families of those killed in the war was held on Thursday evening (July 2).
The Grand Mosalla was opened to the public on Friday morning for mourning and tribute, according to media reports.
Iranian authorities estimate that between 15 million and 20 million mourners will participate in the six-day janaza events.
President Masoud Pezeshkian urged all Iranians, regardless of political, religious, or ideological affiliation, to attend the janaza. In a post on X, he wrote, “I call on all Iranians, regardless of nation, religion, or political ideology, to participate in historic numbers to bid farewell to this devoted servant of Islam and the Revolution. Through this, the world will witness a lasting image of our national unity and loyalty to the Islamic system.”
As per the published timetable, Khamenei’s remains will stay at the Grand Mosalla through Saturday and Sunday. A large-scale funeral prayer and grieving march is set to take place in Tehran on Monday, July 6, 2026. Following that, the body will be transported to the holy city of Qom, after which farewell ceremonies will be held in Baghdad, Karbala, and Najaf in Iraq. The final interment is planned for Mashhad on July 9, 2026.
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