Published on 6/22/2026
Today, Monday, the Iranian authorities revealed the details of the funeral ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and 8 members of his family, who were killed at the beginning of the American-Israeli war, over the course of days early next month in both Iran and Iraq.
The official spokesman for the committee organizing the funeral ceremony, Iman Atarzadeh, said in a press conference in Tehran that the body will be buried with his family members: his son-in-law, Dr. Mesbah Hoda Bagheri, his daughter, Bushra Hosseini Khamenei, his daughter-in-law, Zahraa Haddad Adel, wife of the current guide, Mojtaba Khamenei, and his granddaughter, Zahra Mohammadi al-Golpayegani, in a ceremony extending over 4 days in different cities.
During the press conference broadcast live on Al Jazeera, Atarzadeh explained that the funeral ceremony would be as follows:
- On Monday, July 6, Khamenei’s two-day funeral ceremony will be held at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran.
- On Tuesday, July 7, in the city of Qom, where prayers will be held over the body.
- Wednesday, July 8, in Najaf and Karbala, Iraq, in response to the request of Iraqi scholars, tribes, and elites.
- Thursday, July 9, in the city of Mashhad, where he will be buried in the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad.
The spokesman specified the final burial site in the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, indicating that the burial will take place on the night of the anniversary of the passing of Imam Zain al-Abidin, saying that the body will rest forever in this holy place.
Atarzadeh explained that the Supreme Committee for Shiism was formed under the chairmanship of the First Vice President, and includes four specialized groups:
- Roads and Transportation Group headed by the Minister of Roads.
- Security and Discipline Group.
- International group for receiving delegations.
- Media and Cultural Group.
Distribution of roles
The Revolutionary Guard will be responsible for implementing the ceremonies in Tehran, Mashhad, and Qom, while the provinces will supervise the organization in the remaining regions, with full coordination between governmental and revolutionary institutions and the armed forces.
In the same context, Atarzadeh stressed that the Iranian people will be the focus of managing the ceremonies, noting that Hussein processions, mosques and hospices have prepared to receive millions, and that popular associations and religious bodies have contributed to preparing to host mourners.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will organize the reception of official figures from various countries of the world, including politicians, scientific and religious elites, who will come to take a last look at the body of the deceased.
The spokesman praised the steadfastness of the Iranian people over more than 110 days of mourning, considering that this ceremony would be an embodiment of the unity of the Islamic nation and an affirmation of commitment to the line of the state and the Islamic Revolution.
The killing of Khamenei on February 28, 2026 represented a significant shift in the history of Iran and the region, after US President Donald Trump announced his assassination in the first hours of the joint war with Israel.
