Iran turns Ali Khamenei's funeral into a show of power

Iranian officials weep in front of Ali Khamenei's coffin
The ceremonies in honor of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will be "the biggest gathering in the history of Tehran", said the capital's acting mayor, Alireza Zakai, according to the country's media. The funeral, originally scheduled for early March, was postponed due to the conflict in the Middle East. The public programming is expected to begin this Saturday (4).
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Khamenei, who for 37 years held maximum authority over the main state issues, died at the age of 86 this year, when the United States and Israel attacked his residential and work complex with missiles. The February 28 bombings opened the war that would engulf the region.
Several members of Khamenei's family, including his daughter and two grandchildren, were also killed in the attack. Satellite images show significant destruction at the site, but it is unclear whether bodies have been recovered and in what condition.
Iranian authorities only announced this weekend's ceremonies after a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran came into force.
Presidential complex and residence of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after airstrikes
Reproduction/Reuters
National mobilization
According to the head of the organizing committee, Ali-Akbar Purdjamschidian, the six-day event aims to "strengthen national cohesion and unity" between different political, social and religious groups.
In the country of around 93 million inhabitants, the regime mobilizes supporters for the ceremonies. Starting Saturday, three official days of mourning are planned in Tehran. During this period, the capital will be practically paralyzed, with businesses closed and activities suspended. Extensive preparations have been made to welcome visitors from across the country.
Khamenei will be buried on July 9 in Mashhad, in the northeast of the country, his hometown. A day earlier, a funeral procession is expected to pass through Iraq, including the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. The move is widely seen as an attempt to project Iran's regional influence.
The coffin of Iran's former supreme leader Ali Khamenei during a private funeral for Iranian officials in Tehran, Iran, July 3, 2026.
REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Legacy under scrutiny
During Khamenei's time in power, tensions with the outside world intensified, while corruption, economic mismanagement and sanctions linked to the nuclear dispute increased pressure on Iran.
"Unlike Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who ruled for a decade after the 1979 Revolution, Khamenei led the country for 37 years with strong micromanagement, intervening in almost all areas of government," says Mehrzad Boroujerdi, professor of political science at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Public discontent grew steadily, culminating in successive waves of protest. These include the green movement of 2009, the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests in 2022 and national demonstrations in late 2025 and early 2026. All were repressed with the use of force.
"Khamenei's approach was to make no concessions to his opponents, whether they were critics of the regime or reformists within the system," Boroujerdi said. This contributed to widening the gap between society and the political system. "Many people have grown tired of the current order."
A member of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada stands guard in front of a mural depicting Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani
Boost for supporters
A women's rights activist in Tehran, who requested anonymity, said many protesters still have difficulty accepting that the Islamic Republic has prevailed. "At the same time, his supporters have gained new momentum," he said.
The war has also reinforced the perception among many Iranians that they cannot count on outside help.
Intense bombings in densely populated cities and the destruction of key industrial sectors, including petrochemicals and steel, have cost thousands of jobs, further deepening discontent, particularly among younger people.
Grieving women pay tribute to Ali Khamenei
Tasnim Agency
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Continuity in foreign policy
The inclusion of the so-called Lebanon front as the first point in Iran's recent memorandum of negotiations with the United States highlights the continuity of Khamenei's foreign policy approach.
"Hezbollah has moved even closer to Iran, especially the Quds Force, and is increasingly dependent on Tehran, both politically and militarily", points out Hamidreza Azizi, from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
According to the expert, there are still divisions within the Iranian leadership, especially in the Revolutionary Guard, over possible negotiations with Washington. The outcome of the talks remains uncertain.
For many supporters, attending the funeral is not just a form of mourning. "Two great military powers attacked Iran and yet the Islamic Republic remains standing," adds Boroujerdi. "For many, this is proof of resilience."
Even a partial implementation of the 14-point agreement discussed with the US would represent a significant step forward for the Iranian side. Comparable concessions were not obtained after the Iran-Iraq War nor in the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Among Iran's main demands is a commitment from the United States not to interfere in its internal affairs - which Washington had never accepted before, but is now part of the agreed memorandum.
Infographic shows who are the Iranian government officials who cried before Ali Khamenei's coffin during the funeral on July 3, 2026.
Juan Silva/Arte g1

Source: G1