Web Desk: Iran has announced three days of official arrangements for the burial of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with authorities preparing large-scale arrangements across Tehran, Qom and Mashhad for what is expected to be one of the country’s most significant state events in recent years.
Funeral prayers and public mourning ceremonies are likely to take place either in the final days of Dhu al-Hijjah or at the beginning of Muharram, although a final schedule has yet to be confirmed.
Iranian state and semi-official media reported that coordinated ceremonies will be held in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad as part of the three-day observance. Authorities said they are finalising logistical and security preparations as public participation is expected to be exceptionally large.
Mohammad Amin Tavakoli-Zadeh, deputy for social and cultural affairs at Tehran Municipality, said farewell ceremonies in the capital alone would continue for at least 24 hours.
He added that officials expect between 15 million and 20 million people to take part in events in Tehran, prompting extensive mobilisation of municipal services and security agencies.
Khamenei’s burial will take place in Mashhad in accordance with his will, at the shrine complex of Imam Reza. Preparations are also underway in the holy city to accommodate domestic and international pilgrims expected to attend the ceremonies.
Infrastructure and crowd-management plans are being expanded to handle the anticipated influx of visitors during the mourning period.
Iranian officials said Khamenei died on 28 February 2026 during what they described as US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The state delayed the official burial due to what it called extraordinary security conditions following the conflict.
Authorities have not provided further operational details regarding the circumstances of his death, while preparations for the state funeral continue under heightened security arrangements.
As preparations intensify, Iranian authorities have increased coordination between civil administration and security agencies to manage large crowds and ensure order during the multi-city ceremonies.
Officials are expected to announce the final funeral schedule in the coming days, ahead of what is anticipated to be a major national gathering with significant regional and international attention.
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