Iran Gears up for Massive Mourning Events for Khamenei

WHO:

NBC News - Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader, is believed to have been wounded in the attack that killed his father and remains in hiding.

ABC News - General Ahmad Vahidi, who leads Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, emerged publicly for the first time since February.

ABC News - General Ahmad Vahidi emerged publicly for the first time in months as Tehran prepared for Khamenei's funeral.

ABC News - Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader, is believed to have been wounded in the attack that killed his father and remains in hiding.

NBC News - Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, was killed.

ABC News - Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei's son, is the new Supreme Leader.

ABC News - General Ahmad Vahidi leads Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

WHAT:

ABC News - The funeral will include a public display of Khamenei's body at Tehran's Grand Mosalla starting Friday.

ABC News - Khamenei's body will be taken to Karbala, Iraq, on Wednesday, which also marks the anniversary of the protests against Khamenei's rule.

NBC News - Organizers expect 15 to 20 million people at Khamenei's dayslong state funeral.

ABC News - The mourning period will see Khamenei’s body carried through cities in both Iran and neighboring Iraq.

ABC News - The funeral will serve as a test for Iran’s theocracy and its ability to summon a mass show of support, particularly as it comes six months after security forces' crackdown on nationwide protests against Khamenei’s rule.

ABC News - The funeral will include a public display of Khamenei's body at Tehran's Grand Mosalla starting Friday.

ABC News - Khamenei's body will be paraded through the streets of Tehran before being taken to Qom, which is approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) to the south.

ABC News - Khamenei's body will be taken to Karbala, Iraq, on Wednesday, which also marks the anniversary of the protests against Khamenei's rule.

NBC News - Millions are expected to attend the funeral of Khamenei, as Iran seeks to project strength and unity during a shaky peace deal with the U.S.

ABC News - The funeral will serve as a test for Iran’s theocracy, particularly as it comes six months after a crackdown on protests against Khamenei’s rule.

ABC News - The funeral will include a public display of Khamenei's body at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on Saturday and Sunday, followed by a parade through Tehran on Monday.

ABC News - Khamenei's body will be taken to Qom on Monday and honored there on Tuesday, before being transported to Karbala, Iraq, on Wednesday.

ABC News - Khamenei will be buried in Mashhad at the Imam Reza shrine, which is visited by millions of pilgrims each year.

NBC News - The funeral for Khamenei was delayed due to the ongoing war with the U.S. and Israel.

ABC News - The funeral will serve as a test for Iran’s theocracy, particularly six months after a crackdown on protests against Khamenei’s rule.

ABC News - The interim deal reached in June created a 60-day window to negotiate terms to end the Iran war, including issues related to Iran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.

ABC News - Technical talks began in Qatar this week, complicated by disagreements and crossfire between the U.S. and Iran.

NBC News - Iran is preparing for a massive multi-day funeral for Khamenei.

ABC News - The funeral will include Khamenei’s body being carried through cities in Iran and Iraq.

ABC News - Khamenei was killed on February 28 during U.S.-Israeli strikes.

ABC News - The funeral will begin on Saturday in Tehran and will last several days.

ABC News - Khamenei's body will be displayed at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on Saturday and Sunday.

ABC News - On Monday, Khamenei's body will be paraded through Tehran before being taken to Qom.

ABC News - Khamenei will be honored in Qom on Tuesday.

ABC News - On Wednesday, Khamenei's body will be taken to Karbala, Iraq.

ABC News - Khamenei will be buried in Mashhad at the Imam Reza shrine.

WHERE:

ABC News - Khamenei's body will be honored in Qom on Tuesday before being transported to Karbala, Iraq.

NBC News - The funeral will take place in Tehran, Qom, and Karbala, Iraq.

ABC News - Khamenei's body will lie in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla.

WHEN:

ABC News - The funeral is set to begin on Saturday in Tehran and will last several days.

ABC News - The funeral is set to begin on Saturday.

ABC News - Khamenei's body will be honored in Qom on Tuesday.

ABC News - Khamenei's body will be taken to Karbala on Wednesday.

WHY:

NBC News - The regime aims to project strength and unity during a shaky peace deal with the U.S.

ABC News - The funeral serves as a test for Iran’s theocracy amid recent protests against Khamenei’s rule.

HOW:

ABC News - Authorities plan to shut down streets, airspace, and daily life in Tehran during the mourning period to accommodate the large crowds expected.

ABC News - Authorities plan to shut down streets, airspace, and daily life in Tehran during the mourning period.

ABC News - Mourners will carry Khamenei's coffin overhead as part of the funeral ceremonies.

(UPDATED July 4, 2026 07:48 UTC)

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader, is believed to have been wounded in an attack that killed his father and is currently in hiding, while General Ahmad Vahidi, who leads Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, has made his first public appearance since February. The funeral for Khamenei will begin on Saturday in Tehran, featuring a public display of his body at the Grand Mosalla and culminating in a transport to Karbala, Iraq, on Wednesday, which coincides with the anniversary of protests against his rule. To manage the expected large crowds, authorities plan to shut down streets, airspace, and daily life in Tehran during the mourning period.

(UPDATED July 4, 2026 01:25 UTC)

Organizers are anticipating a massive turnout of 15 to 20 million people for Khamenei's dayslong state funeral, which will see his body carried through cities in both Iran and neighboring Iraq. This event is particularly significant as it will test Iran's theocracy and its ability to rally public support, coming just six months after a crackdown on protests against Khamenei's rule. To manage the expected crowds, authorities plan to shut down streets, airspace, and daily life in Tehran during the mourning period.

(UPDATED July 3, 2026 23:18 UTC)

General Ahmad Vahidi has made his first public appearance in months as Tehran prepares for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an attack that also left his son, the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, wounded and in hiding. The funeral will feature a public display of Khamenei's body at Tehran's Grand Mosalla starting Friday, followed by a procession through the streets of Tehran before it is taken to Qom, approximately 120 kilometers to the south. Authorities are planning to shut down streets, airspace, and daily life in Tehran during the mourning period to accommodate the large crowds expected for these events.

(UPDATED July 3, 2026 15:37 UTC)

Millions are expected to attend the funeral of Khamenei, which will take place over several days and is seen as a crucial moment for Iran's theocracy amid a fragile peace deal with the U.S. The public display of Khamenei's body will occur at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on Saturday and Sunday, followed by a parade through the city on Monday, with authorities shutting down streets and airspace to manage the large crowds. After the funeral in Tehran, Khamenei's body will be taken to Qom for honors on Tuesday and then transported to Karbala, Iraq, before being buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, a site that attracts millions of pilgrims each year.

(UPDATED July 3, 2026 13:31 UTC)

The funeral for Khamenei has been delayed due to the ongoing war with the U.S. and Israel, and it will serve as a significant test for Iran’s theocracy, especially following a crackdown on protests against his rule. Authorities are preparing to shut down streets, airspace, and daily life in Tehran during the mourning period, while technical talks in Qatar this week aim to negotiate terms to end the Iran war, amidst ongoing disagreements and crossfire. This comes after an interim deal reached in June created a 60-day window to address issues related to Iran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.

(UPDATED July 3, 2026 09:54 UTC)

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed, and his son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has been named the new Supreme Leader. In response, the country is preparing for a massive multi-day funeral that will begin on Saturday, featuring Khamenei's body being displayed at Tehran's Grand Mosalla and later paraded through Tehran before being honored in Qom on Tuesday and taken to Karbala, Iraq, on Wednesday. Authorities plan to shut down streets and airspace in Tehran during this mourning period, as mourners will carry Khamenei's coffin overhead in a display of unity amid ongoing challenges to the regime.