Millions of Iranians began mourning the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in a US-Israeli strike in February. The large-scale funeral ceremonies, projected to draw between 10 million and 15 million people, commenced Saturday in Tehran. This period of national mourning coincides with the United States' 250th birthday and ongoing, fragile peace talks aimed at concluding the 109-day Iran war.
President Donald Trump acknowledged the mourning period, stating that the U.S. had granted Iran "the week" off. "We knocked the hell out of Iran and they’re dying to settle," Trump said during a speech on Friday night. "We gave them a week off for a funeral, isn’t that nice."
State funeral services were set to begin at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla. A funeral procession is scheduled for July 6, echoing the large gatherings at Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's 1989 funeral, which saw dozens die in stampedes amid an estimated 10 million attendees. Khamenei, who was appointed Supreme Leader following Khomeini's death, played a role in the formation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards. A state newspaper published threats against the U.S. in his name as recently as Monday.
Officials reportedly delayed services for months due to security concerns. Another service is planned for July 7 in the holy city of Qom, with burial scheduled for July 9 in Mashhad, Khamenei's hometown, at the shrine of Imam Reza.
Banners of Khamenei were displayed at the Grand Mosalla in the days leading up to the funeral. Funeral services for Khamenei's daughter and son-in-law, also killed in the February strike, were scheduled to coincide with his.
Following Khamenei’s death, Iran has been led by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was described by President Trump as "more rational" than his father. The elder Khamenei's rule was marked by violent crackdowns on protesters and the development of secret underground nuclear facilities. Dozens of foreign leaders were present at preliminary events, though the U.S. did not send a representative.