Iran Holds Multi-Day Funeral for Supreme Leader Khamenei
Funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are underway in Iran. Khamenei was Iran's Supreme Leader.
He was killed in an airstrike at the start of a US-Israeli campaign against Iran. The ceremonies are being held under tight security.
Friday July 3 marks a pre-funeral display period. The main funeral events run from July 4 to July 9.
They span several cities including Tehran, Qom and Mashhad. Leaders from more than 100 countries are attending.
Dignitaries from China, Russia and Pakistan are among them. Khamenei is set to be buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad on July 9.
His burial was first planned for March but was delayed as the US-Israel conflict continued. Qatar is acting as a go-between in US-Iran talks. Those talks are set to continue after the funeral ends.
Key Terms 4
- Ayatollah A senior religious leader in Iran's Shia Muslim faith
- Supreme Leader Iran's highest political and religious authority
- Imam Reza shrine A major holy site in Mashhad, Iran
- Dignitaries Important officials or leaders representing their countries