Three Days of National Mourning in Iran, Processions to be Held in Several Cities; Find Out Why

Iran Announces 3 Days of National Mourning for Former Supreme Leader Khamenei

Following the passing of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the government has announced three days of state funerals and national mourning in his honour. Grand funeral processions are set to take place across the capital, Tehran, and several major cities during this period, with millions of people expected to attend.

According to officials, special programmes will also be organised in key religious centres, including Qom and Mashhad. Khamenei passed away on the opening day of the US-Israel war against Iran (28 February 2026), since which the entire country has been in a state of mourning. The government is making preparations to ensure this final farewell is historic and memorable. Consequently, the eyes of the world are now fixed on Iran, where the country will give a final farewell to its former supreme leader through large public events over three days of tributes.

24-Hour Programmes to Continue

Speaking to Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, Tehran’s Deputy Mayor, Mohammad Amin Tavakoli-Zadeh, stated that large-scale funeral processions would be held in Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad in memory of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He mentioned that the main event taking place in Tehran alone could last for more than 24 hours. The administration is undertaking extensive preparations for this event, and a large number of people are expected to arrive. According to officials, this announcement has been made several months after Khamenei’s passing. While funeral rites are typically performed swiftly in Islamic traditions, Iranian authorities had initially decided to postpone them. Now, the government is preparing for a grand tribute programme lasting three days.

Son Mojtaba Takes Command After Ali Khamenei’s Death

Iranian state media reports that the state funeral ceremonies may be organised in mid-June, though the exact date and time have not yet been declared.

Khamenei was 86 years old and served as Iran’s Supreme Leader for over three decades. During this period, he was considered the country’s most influential political and religious leader. Following his death, varying reactions were observed among the people in Iran; while there was an atmosphere of mourning in some places, people reacted differently in others.

Following Khamenei’s passing, his son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, was officially chosen as his successor. However, since assuming office, he has been seen very little in public.