Ali Khamenei Funeral LIVE Updates: Late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be laid to rest next week after a days-long funeral. Several leaders from around the world are expected to attend the funeral, which is being held between July 4 and July 10. The final burial will take place next Friday.
The 86-year-old cleric was killed during the US-Israel strikes on Tehran on February 28. His funeral was delayed as the war in Iran continued. The funeral events will begin over the weekend in Tehran, with mass processions planned next week in Qom and Mashhad and ceremonies in Iraq.
Khamenei’s flag-draped coffin sat at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla. Unveiled late on Thursday to a throng of sobbing supporters, Khamenei’s coffin — and those of family members killed with him — was laid in state on Friday, in the great prayer hall built to honour his predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Which countries are sending heads of state or government?
World leaders attending the funeral include: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili.
India said on Thursday that its deputy foreign minister and Bihar governor would represent the country at the state funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Millions of people and a coterie of foreign dignitaries were expected to attend Saturday’s official ceremony for Ali Khamenei, with Tehran’s chief negotiator calling for a massive turnout to avenge his death.
Who was Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took the reins after the death in 1989 of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the fiery ideologue who led the overthrow of the shah and installed rule by Shiite Muslim clerics.
It fell to Khamenei, a stodgier figure with weaker religious credentials, to turn that revolutionary vision into a state establishment. He built up Iran’s military might, including through proxies
He supported myriad armed groups in the Middle East, pushed ahead with Iran’s nuclear programme, and faced down several protest movements with crackdowns. While his clashes with the US and Israel were a source of support at home, they ultimately led to his demise.
Stay tuned to this LIVE blog for latest updates on Ali Khamenei funeral.
Key Events
Ali Khamenei Funeral LIVE Updates: Iran says delegations began viewing coffin earlier than scheduled
Iranian authorities began receiving foreign delegations to view the coffin of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei earlier than originally scheduled on Friday, state media reported.
State news agency IRNA said the coffin of Khamenei and those of several members of his family were placed at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla before dawn, allowing foreign guests already in the capital to attend farewell ceremonies.
IRNA said the ceremonies had initially been scheduled to begin later on Friday but were brought forward to help manage the programme.
Foreign delegations, including representatives of religious minorities and members of what Iran calls the “Axis of Resistance”, were among the first to attend, it said.
About the Author
Akriti Anand is a Deputy Chief Content Producer at LiveMint. She is a digital journalist with more than six years in the news industry.<br><br>
In her current role, she covers both national and international politics, and also keeps a close watch on the latest trends in science and space exploration.
<br><br>
Akriti joined the LiveMint team in October 2023. Before this, she built a strong career at other major media houses. She worked as a senior sub-editor at India Today. Later, she moved to CNBCTV-18. There, she covered high-pressure topics like breaking news and major elections. She spent much of her time analysing Parliament bills and complex political debates. She is also a skilled editor who knows how to polish a story for a digital audience.
<br><br>
One of her career highlights happened at CNBCTV-18. She made her first television debut during the Chandrayaan-3 mission. She also provided special on-air coverage for the Karnataka Elections.
<br><br>
When she is not busy with breaking news, Akriti loves to write explainers and interview experts on a wide range of issues. She also enjoys making complex space missions easy for everyone to understand.
<br><br>
Her education helps her tackle these diverse subjects. She holds a BA in English Literature, a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication, and a Master’s degree in Development Studies. She is currently expanding her knowledge in climate journalism.<br><br>
Connect with Akriti here<br>
LinkedIn: <a href=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/akriti-anand-868285199″>https://www.linkedin.com/in/akriti-anand-868285199</a><br>
Twitter/X: <a href=”https://x.com/AkritiAnand7″>https://x.com/AkritiAnand7</a><br>
Email: akriti.anand@htdigital.in
Stay updated with the latest , , and news.
More
