Tehran Mourns Former Leader Amid Notable Absences at Funeral

WHO:

Newsweek - Three sons of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were seen attending prayers, but the new Supreme Leader was absent.

BBC News - Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the former leader being mourned in Tehran.

BBC - President Trump was quoted regarding the situation in Iran.

WHAT:

AP News - The coffins of Khamenei and his family members killed in the airstrike were placed on a truck decorated to resemble the ornamental grating surrounding an imam's shrine.

Al Jazeera - A giant red flag has been unfurled over the Grand Mosalla, Tehran’s largest religious complex, where Khamenei’s body lay in state for farewells and official prayers.

Al Jazeera - The route selected to move Khamenei’s remains stretches from the holy Shia city of Qom to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, before his burial in Mashhad at the shrine of Imam Reza.

AP News - Hundreds of thousands have gathered at squares in Tehran, waving flags and banners in Khamenei’s honor.

CBS News - Mourners have called for revenge for Khamenei's death, with one mourner stating, "We are not here to say goodbye to him, we are here for revenge. And we will take revenge."

Al Jazeera - The use of black and red colors during the funeral symbolizes grief, martyrdom, and a call for revenge.

AP News - Attendants sprayed misted water across the crowds to cool them in the summertime temperatures during the procession.

Al Jazeera - The route for Khamenei's remains is designed to convey messages about Shia Islam and the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic.

AP News - Authorities appeared concerned about the dangers of having a large crowd alongside the procession, with officials on loudspeakers urging the public to walk slowly, not to push and to stay to the edges of the street.

AP News - The U.S. is meanwhile pressing ahead with negotiations with Iran aimed at fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz, rolling back its disputed nuclear program and reaching a permanent end to the war.

Al Jazeera - The official slogan for Khamenei's funeral ceremonies is "We must rise," with an Arabic equivalent selected for international audiences, which is "Rise for God."

Al Jazeera - An illustration of Khamenei’s defiant clenched fist has become the defining image of the ceremony, rooted in a text message attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei released on March 12.

Al Jazeera - A giant red flag reading "O avengers of Hussein" was unfurled over the Grand Mosalla, where Khamenei's body lay in state for farewells and official prayers.

Al Jazeera - The route for Khamenei's remains stretches from Qom to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, before his burial in Mashhad at the shrine of Imam Reza.

AP News - The coffins will be taken through the streets of Tehran on their way to Mehrabad International Airport over a 12-hour journey, said Revolutionary Guard Gen. Hasan Hasanzsdeh, who is overseeing the procession.

AP News - Authorities have shut down streets, airspace, and daily life for the mourning period, which began Saturday and will end Thursday.

AP News - Mourners have called for revenge against Trump and Netanyahu, with signs seen along the procession route, including an effigy of Trump being hanged.

Al Jazeera - Khamenei's remains will complete a grand tour of ideological foundations, including visits to Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad.

NBC News - The coffin of Khamenei was seen creeping through crowds in Tehran as an effigy of Trump was hanged.

AP News - The coffins of Khamenei and his family members killed in the airstrike were placed on a truck decorated to resemble the ornamental grating surrounding an imam's shrine.

Al Jazeera - A giant red flag reading "O avengers of Hussein" was unfurled over the Grand Mosalla, where Khamenei's body lay in state for farewells and official prayers.

Al Jazeera - The route for Khamenei's remains stretches from Qom to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, before his burial in Mashhad at the shrine of Imam Reza.

AP News - The coffins will be taken through the streets of Tehran on their way to Mehrabad International Airport over a 12-hour journey.

AP News - Hundreds of thousands have gathered at squares in Tehran, waving flags and banners in Khamenei’s honor.

CBS News - Mourners have called for revenge for Khamenei's death, with one mourner stating, "We are not here to say goodbye to him, we are here for revenge. And we will take revenge."

Al Jazeera - The official slogan for Khamenei's funeral ceremonies is "We must rise," with an Arabic equivalent selected for international audiences, which is "Rise for God."

Al Jazeera - An illustration of Khamenei’s defiant clenched fist has become the defining image of the ceremony, rooted in a text message attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei released on March 12.

AP News - The coffins of Khamenei and his family members killed in the airstrike were placed on a truck decorated to resemble the ornamental grating surrounding an imam's shrine.

AP News - Authorities have shut down streets, airspace, and daily life for the mourning period, which began Saturday and will end Thursday.

AP News - Mourners have called for revenge against Trump and Netanyahu, with signs seen along the procession route, including an effigy of Trump being hanged.

Al Jazeera - Khamenei was supreme leader from 1989 until his death in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, with his son Mojtaba Khamenei taking over as head of state in March.

AP News - Authorities have shut down streets, airspace and daily life for the mourning, which began Saturday and will end Thursday as the 86-year-old Khamenei is buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace.

Al Jazeera - A week of ceremonies for Khamenei's funeral has adopted heavy symbolism to promote pro-government religious and political messages.

Al Jazeera - Khamenei's funeral began with three days of mourning in Tehran, followed by a procession through cities in Iran and Iraq.

Al Jazeera - The official slogan for the ceremonies is "We must rise," with an Arabic equivalent selected for international audiences.

Al Jazeera - A giant red flag reading "O avengers of Hussein" was unfurled over the Grand Mosalla, where Khamenei's body lay in state.

Al Jazeera - Khamenei's remains will complete a grand tour of ideological foundations, including visits to Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad.

CBS News - Millions participated in public funeral services for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling for revenge for his death in a U.S. and Israeli airstrike.

BBC News - A funeral event is taking place in honor of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

BBC - Trump stated that Washington could take out all senior officials in Iran with "one shot."

WHERE:

BBC News - The funeral events are occurring in Tehran, Iran.

WHEN:

BBC - Trump’s quote regarding the potential action against Iranian officials was reported.

WHY:

NY Post - Chants of “Death to Trump” during the funeral reflected the "true nature of the ayatollahs’ regime."

AP News - Mourners and the signs they carry have called for the killing of both U.S. President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Such signs were seen again Monday along the procession’s route, with one effigy of Trump being hanged.

BBC - Trump mentioned that the reason for not taking action against Iranian officials is that it would leave the U.S. with "nobody to negotiate with."

HOW:

Al Jazeera - The use of black and red colors during the funeral symbolizes grief, martyrdom, and a call for revenge.

AP News - Attendants sprayed misted water across the crowds to cool them in the summertime temperatures during the procession.

AP News - Attendants sprayed misted water across the crowds to cool them in the summertime temperatures.

Al Jazeera - The route for Khamenei's remains is designed to convey messages about Shia Islam and the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic.

BBC - The context of Trump's statement implies a strategic consideration regarding U.S. foreign policy and negotiations with Iran.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 19:28 UTC)

A massive outpouring of grief is taking place in Tehran, where hundreds of thousands have gathered to honor Khamenei, with mourners calling for revenge and waving flags and banners in his memory. The funeral procession for Khamenei's remains will travel from the holy city of Qom to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, culminating in his burial at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, while a giant red flag has been unfurled over the Grand Mosalla, where his body lies in state. Meanwhile, the U.S. is continuing negotiations with Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address the country's nuclear program, as officials express concerns about crowd safety during the procession.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 17:49 UTC)

The official slogan for Khamenei's funeral ceremonies is "We must rise," with an Arabic equivalent, "Rise for God," resonating with international audiences. As the procession unfolds, a giant red flag reading "O avengers of Hussein" has been unfurled over the Grand Mosalla, while mourners express their calls for revenge against Trump and Netanyahu, even displaying an effigy of Trump being hanged. Khamenei's remains will embark on a significant journey from Qom to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, before ultimately being laid to rest at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 16:04 UTC)

Three sons of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended prayers, but the new Supreme Leader was notably absent. As the coffin of Khamenei moved through the crowds in Tehran, an effigy of Trump was hanged, while the coffins of Khamenei and his family members killed in the airstrike were displayed on a truck adorned to resemble the ornamental grating of an imam's shrine. Chants of “Death to Trump” echoed during the funeral, highlighting the sentiments towards the regime.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 14:10 UTC)

A giant red flag reading "O avengers of Hussein" was unfurled over the Grand Mosalla, where Khamenei's body lies in state, as hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran, waving flags and banners in his honor. The route for Khamenei's remains will stretch from Qom to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, culminating in his burial at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, with the coffins making a 12-hour journey through the streets of Tehran to Mehrabad International Airport. Mourners have expressed their desire for revenge, with one stating, "We are not here to say goodbye to him, we are here for revenge. And we will take revenge," while the use of black and red colors during the funeral symbolizes grief, martyrdom, and this call for vengeance.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 12:17 UTC)

The official slogan for Khamenei's funeral ceremonies is "We must rise," with an Arabic equivalent, "Rise for God," aimed at international audiences. An illustration of Khamenei’s defiant clenched fist has emerged as the defining image of the event, while the coffins of Khamenei and his family members, who died in an airstrike, were placed on a truck designed to resemble the ornamental grating of an imam's shrine. During the mourning period, which began Saturday and will conclude Thursday, authorities have shut down streets and airspace, and mourners have expressed calls for revenge against Trump and Netanyahu, with signs and an effigy of Trump being displayed along the procession route.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 08:21 UTC)

Iran is in a state of mourning following the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike, with his son Mojtaba now taking over as head of state. As the coffins make their way through the streets of Tehran to Mehrabad International Airport, authorities have shut down streets and airspace, and the mourning period will culminate with Khamenei's burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. During the procession, mourners have been seen carrying signs calling for the deaths of both President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, while attendants are spraying misted water to help cool the crowds in the summer heat.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 06:21 UTC)

The funeral ceremonies for Khamenei have begun with three days of mourning in Tehran, followed by a procession that will take his remains through key cities in Iran and Iraq. The events are steeped in heavy symbolism, featuring a giant red flag that reads "O avengers of Hussein" and an official slogan, "We must rise," aimed at promoting pro-government religious and political messages. Khamenei's remains will tour significant ideological sites, including Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad, as part of a grand narrative reflecting the foundations of Shia Islam and the Islamic Republic.

(UPDATED July 6, 2026 04:17 UTC)

Millions of people took part in public funeral services for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressing their grief and anger following his death in a U.S. and Israeli airstrike. The atmosphere was charged as mourners gathered to honor his legacy and demand retribution. This significant event has drawn widespread attention and sparked intense reactions across the region.

(UPDATED July 5, 2026 21:18 UTC)

A funeral event is currently taking place in Tehran, Iran, to honor Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader who has passed away. President Trump commented on the situation, stating that Washington could eliminate all senior officials in Iran with "one shot," but he also noted that such an action would leave the U.S. with "nobody to negotiate with." His remarks highlight the strategic considerations surrounding U.S. foreign policy and negotiations with Iran.