Iran prepares for funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
Iran is preparing for the multi-day funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike. Millions are expected to attend amid internal tensions and a fragile ceasefire.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Iran has begun several days of public mourning and funeral processions for its former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war launched by the United States and Israel in February. The 87-year-old cleric, who ruled the Islamic Republic for more than three decades, died alongside several members of his family in an airstrike on his compound. His body, along with the coffins of his relatives including his 14-month-old granddaughter, is lying in state at the Grand Mosala mosque complex in Tehran.
The funeral events, which the Iranian authorities have called the 'funeral of the century', are expected to draw millions of mourners over six days. Officials say up to 20 million people may take part in ceremonies across the country and in Iraq. The processions began with foreign dignitaries from Iran's allies, including Russia, China, Pakistan, and representatives of Hezbollah, paying their respects. On Saturday and Sunday, the public will file past the coffins, and on Monday a major procession will carry the caskets through the streets of Tehran. The body will then be taken to the holy city of Qom, then to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, and finally to Mashhad, Khamenei's hometown, for burial on 9 July.
The delay in holding the funeral was due to the 40-day war and the fragile ceasefire that followed. The regime is using the occasion to project unity and strength, but the country remains deeply divided. In January, months before the war, thousands of protesters were killed in a crackdown on anti-government demonstrations. Many Iranians who opposed Khamenei's rule will not be joining the mourning.
A major question hanging over the events is the whereabouts of the new Supreme Leader, Mujtaba Khamenei, the late ayatollah's son. He has not been seen in public since the strike that killed his father, and it is believed he was severely injured. His absence has fuelled speculation about his health and the internal power struggles within the regime. The commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Ahmad Wahidi, who was also appointed after his predecessor was killed, has now appeared in public after months out of sight.
The funeral comes as Iran and the United States attempt to hold a fragile ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil shipments, remains a flashpoint. Iran has used its control over the strait as a bargaining chip, and the UK and France have offered to help clear mines. President Donald Trump, speaking at US Independence Day celebrations, claimed the US had 'knocked the hell out of Iran' and that Iran was 'dying to settle'. The regime, however, is projecting defiance, with a statue of Khamenei's raised fist installed in Tehran's Revolution Square.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC NEWS | BBC One | Channel 4 | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The new Supreme Leader, Mujtaba Khamenei, has not been seen in public since his appointment. | |||||
| Ali Khamenei was killed at the start of the Iran war in February 2026. | · | ||||
| Iranian authorities expect 15-35 million people to attend the funeral ceremonies. | · | ||||
| The funeral was delayed for several months due to the war and to allow for full honors. | · | ||||
| Attendance estimates for the funeral ceremonies ranged from hundreds of thousands to up to 35 million people. | · | · | |||
| The funeral of Khamenei was expected to draw millions of attendees, with estimates ranging from 15 to 35 million people, and a 20 km procession through Tehran. | · | · | |||
| The regime is using the funeral to project legitimacy and power. | · | · | |||
| International media in Iran, including the BBC, were restricted from using their material on the BBC's Persian service. | · | · | · | ||
| Iran has used the Strait of Hormuz as a key weapon, including capturing ships and demanding mandatory fees for shipping. | · | · | · | ||
| Iran's senior military commander, Ahmad Wahidi, appeared in public for the first time since the start of the war. | · | · | · | ||
| Iranian authorities expected 15-20 million people to attend the funeral ceremonies. | · | · | · | ||
| The funeral is expected to take place on July 4 and last several days. | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC News focused on the scale of the funeral and the political messaging behind it. It highlighted the absence of the new Supreme Leader, Mujtaba Khamenei, and the internal divisions within Iran. The reporting also noted the regime's attempt to portray the event as a show of public support and defiance against the US and Israel.
- “The Iranian authorities and the media are very much focused on to portray this as a sign of public support for the Islamic Republic.”
- “But he hasn't seen in public since, he has only issued written statements and there hasn't been any audio or video of him or any verifiable image since his appointment.”
Sky News emphasised the massive scale of the funeral and the emotional response from mourners, particularly the calls for revenge. It also highlighted the security concerns and the regime's desire to avoid the chaos of previous funerals. The channel's correspondents provided on-the-ground descriptions of the crowds and the atmosphere.
- “We're in central Tehran, where they are preparing for the mother of all funerals for this man, Ali Khamenei.”
- “A lot of people here that distance from there We've spoken to one family who come from the holy city of Kong a family whose eight-year-old son has written a book his father proudly told me about Khamenei and that son Muhammad Mahdi told me he wants the he said he feels sad But he says he feels vengeful as well.”
ITV1 focused on the emotional and symbolic aspects of the funeral, portraying it as a display of state power and defiance. The reporting highlighted the regime's message of strength and continuity, while also noting the absence of the new Supreme Leader and the internal divisions. The channel's correspondent, Emma Murphy, provided detailed descriptions of the preparations and the heat.
- “This will be a moment to reflect on the life, but it will also be an opportunity for the Islamic Republic to stand in defiance of those who sought to end their leadership in this country.”
- “I'm here for my leader. He's murdered by trunks And We want to Revenge for him the father for us for all of Iranian people We like him as a father really.”
Channel 4 provided a more analytical and critical perspective, focusing on the internal divisions within Iran, the regime's use of the funeral for propaganda, and the unresolved issues around the Strait of Hormuz. The channel also highlighted the absence of the new Supreme Leader and the ongoing negotiations with the US. It included interviews with analysts and dissenting voices.
- “This funeral is a show of force by Iran's rulers. But the new supreme leader, Khamenei's son, Mojdaba, is still in hiding.”
- “I think the infighting is barely beginning. And of course, in Iran's system, the minute you inject some more money into it, the infighting becomes even worse.”
BBC ONE West focused on the visual spectacle of the funeral and the regime's attempt to project unity. It noted the presence of three of Khamenei's sons but the absence of the successor, Mujtaba. The reporting also highlighted the ongoing protests and the regime's repression, as well as the broader geopolitical context including the US Independence Day celebrations.
- “This is the image Iran wants to project to the world. A country united, grieving for the loss of their supreme leader, killed in the opening salvos of this war.”
- “Our enmity with America has just begun, I think. It's even more than before, and with the threats the US is making, people like me should volunteer and stand against them.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.