The holy city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran is bracing for an unprecedented outpouring of grief on Thursday as the remains of the martyred Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, are laid to rest, concluding six days of solemn funeral processions that have swept across Iran and Iraq.
Mashhad's Hasheminejad Airport is preparing to receive the body of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. pic.twitter.com/bZXZ52wQgO
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) July 9, 2026
The burial, scheduled for Thursday afternoon at the sacred Razavi Shrine the resting place of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Rida (peace be upon him) follows a monumental journey of mourning that has drawn tens of millions to the streets. According to the official IRNA news agency, the late leader will be interred in his hometown, adjacent to the shrine that also houses the remains of former President Ebrahim Raisi, who perished in a 2024 helicopter crash. Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, director of the Leader’s office, confirmed on state television that Ayatollah Khamenei had specifically requested this resting place in his will.
With several hours remaining before the funeral procession of the martyred Leader commences in Mashhad, the gathering crowd is growing larger with each passing moment. pic.twitter.com/SWAUjyGSGu
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) July 9, 2026
Logistical Challenges and Unprecedented Turnout
Iranian authorities have been forced to adapt to the sheer scale of the response. Governor of Mashhad, Hassan Hosseini, projected a staggering 15 million mourners to participate in the final farewell—a figure that underscores the leader’s profound influence over nearly four decades of revolutionary leadership.
The ceremony, initially scheduled for 6:00 AM local time, was postponed until 2:00 PM due to the delayed arrival of the casket from Iraqi territory. The funeral convoy has faced logistical hurdles traversing the 1,500-kilometer route from Iraq’s holy cities, where it received an equally historic sendoff.
In a third official statement, the reception and burial headquarters in Mashhad clarified the procession route, confirming that the cortege will commence from Imam Reza Street before proceeding toward the holy shrine. As early as Wednesday evening, the streets of Mashhad were already inundated with thousands of citizens waving Iranian flags and chanting “Death to America,” while vast Shiite banners adorned the city’s airport and metro stations.
Solemn Iraqi Farewell Draws Millions
The Iraqi leg of the funeral journey proved a landmark moment in regional solidarity. Massive crowds converged on the cities of Najaf and Karbala to bid farewell to the ayatollah, whose casket draped in the Iranian flag and adorned with his iconic black turban was accompanied by a green banner inscribed with the tribute, “Peace be upon you, O Aba Abdillah.”
The Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces reported that participation in the Najaf funeral procession alone surpassed 2.3 million mourners. Baghdad declared a national holiday in honor of the late leader, reflecting the deep sectarian and political ties between the neighboring nations.
The funeral ceremony of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was held in Karbala. The bodies of Ayatollah Khamenei and his family were carried through the city on Wednesday night, as grieving crowds gathered to pay their respects. pic.twitter.com/ZQw88FwuSp
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) July 9, 2026
High-Level Delegation Attends
A high-ranking Iranian official delegation traveled to Iraq to oversee the ceremonies, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, and several prominent military commanders. Their presence underscored the Islamic Republic’s commitment to honoring a leader whose assassination on February 28—attributed to a devastating US-Israeli airstrike on his Tehran residence—has dramatically escalated regional tensions.
The remains of four family members who were killed alongside Ayatollah Khamenei in the same strike are also being interred today, compounding the national tragedy.
As Mashhad prepares for what officials are calling the largest funeral gathering in modern Iranian history, the world watches a nation united in mourning and bracing for whatever may follow.
Source: Agencies (translated and edited by Al-Manar)