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Iran holds colossal funeral full of symbolism for Ali Khamenei

2026-07-03 08:53:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Four months after he was assassinated at the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will be commemorated in a week-long funeral spectacle that will span five cities in two countries, with millions in attendance.

Despite a costly war against two of the world's strongest militaries and decades of devastating economic hardship, Tehran is sparing no expense to usher Khamenei in a grand ceremony shrouded in religious symbolism that coincides with celebrations of the 250th anniversary of US Independence Day.

Authorities say they have launched one of the largest logistical efforts in the history of the Islamic Republic, mobilizing government employees, universities, unions, firefighters, soldiers, aid workers and even religious "mourning groups" to organize the funeral and manage the millions of "pilgrims" expected to travel to cities and holy sites across Iran and Iraq to bid farewell to the ayatollah. Authorities in neighboring Iraq, where Shiite Muslims are in the majority, say millions of mourners are expected to pay their respects.

For more than ten days, the massive coverage in Iranian media has increased to this point, with tribute songs and documentaries about Khamenei's life overtaking news about the talks with the US that had previously dominated the headlines.

A spectacle full of symbolism
Not to be missed in the ceremony is the apparently deliberate symbolism of the chosen dates. Khamenei's body is scheduled to lie in state on the 250th anniversary of American Independence Day, while another key day in the procession coincides with a major Shiite commemoration of the death of a historic religious figure.

Khamenei was killed on the first day of the US-Israeli war, on February 28. However, his funeral is being orchestrated as a victory parade in three Iranian cities and two holy sites in neighboring Iraq, showing supporters that the cleric is not yet lost, even in death./CNA, translated by CNN