Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad as Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was laid to rest at the revered Imam Reza Shrine, bringing nearly a week of nationwide funeral ceremonies to a close.
The burial drew vast crowds carrying Iranian flags, portraits of the late leader and revolutionary banners, with mourners chanting slogans in support of the Islamic Republic and condemning the United States and Israel. Authorities described the funeral as one of the largest public gatherings in the country’s recent history.
The funeral procession followed ceremonies held across several Iranian cities and parts of Iraq, reflecting Khamenei’s decades-long influence on Iran’s political and religious landscape. Security remained tight throughout the events as officials sought to project national unity during a period of regional tensions and political transition.
Attention is now turning to Iran’s new leadership as the country enters a new chapter following the end of Khamenei’s 37-year rule. The transition comes amid ongoing economic challenges, diplomatic uncertainty and heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.