Red-white flags, packed roads: Millions throng Iran streets for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral | Videos

The ceremonies were seen as an opportunity for the country to project resilience even as political attention remained fixed on who would succeed Khamenei.

Updated on: Jul 6, 2026, 19:35:46 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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Vast crowds gathered for the funeral procession of Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Monday. Reportedly, millions were present, with the gathering appearing comparable to the farewell of his predecessor nearly four decades ago.

Millions were present, with the gathering appearing comparable to the farewell of his predecessor nearly four decades ago. (AFP)

While official turnout figures are yet to be released. However, images and videos showed dense crowds stretching across major boulevards in the Iranian capital.

Ceremony seen as message of resilience

The funeral came at a “sensitive moment” for Iran, which has recently gone through five weeks of war with the United States and Israel.

Also read | ‘Iran will never forget': Tehran's gratitude to India for attending Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral

The ceremonies were seen as an opportunity for the country to project resilience evenas political attention remained fixed on who would succeed Khamenei, news agency AFP reported.

His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public since taking power, continues to remain at the centre of speculation.

Procession through Tehran under heavy public participation

After lying in state for two days at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex, Khamenei’s body was carried through the capital on Monday, accompanied by large crowds. The coffin, covered with flower petals, moved slowly through the streets as mourners lined the procession route.

The journey covered around 20 kilometres (12 miles), with thousands gathering along the way to pay their respects.

Memories of 1989 funeral

Authorities were conscious of the scale of the gathering, recalling the chaotic scenes during the 1989 funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Khamenei’s predecessor. That event reportedly drew around 10 million people according to state news agency IRNA and resulted in crowd surges that killed more than 10 people and injured over 10,000.

Also read | Where is Mojtaba Khamenei? Iran's Supreme Leader still missing ahead of father's burial

Massive concrete barriers were placed at the Grand Mosalla complex to prevent stampedes and maintain order.

Public emotions, slogans and political messaging

In parts of Tehran, mourners were seen carrying Iranian flags as well as flags associated with the Tehran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah. Red flags symbolising revenge were also visible across the crowd.

Also read | Iran begins massive funeral procession for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran

At Imam Hussein Square in eastern Tehran, some participants reportedly hung an effigy of US President Donald Trump, according to state media.

Former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was also seen attending the procession, as per local reports.

Amid the heat, trucks sprayed water over mourners while organisers distributed Iranian flags and images of Ali and Mojtaba.

Security presence and key figures at the ceremony

Senior figures from Iran’s security establishment were also seen during the events. The new commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Ahmad Vahidi, appeared at the funeral, as did Esmail Qaani, head of the Quds Force, both making rare public appearances after the conflict period.

The farewell events are not limited to Tehran. Similar ceremonies are scheduled in Qom on Tuesday, followed by gatherings in Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday. The final burial is expected to take place in Mashhad in northeastern Iran on Thursday.

(With inputs from AFP)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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