The state funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in February 2026 by US and Israeli airstrikes, is being held in Tehran as part of a week-long series of mass funeral processions.The event marks a critical moment for Iran's clerical rulers, who claim to have survived an existential war against their adversaries.

Khamenei's body will be displayed in Tehran's Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla before being transported to Qom, Najaf, and Kerbala, with final burial in Mashhad.The funeral coincides with ongoing tensions in the Middle East, as Iran warns against attacks during the event.Despite internal fractures within the Islamic Republic, authorities are showcasing state power through mass participation.The funeral incorporates Shi'ite traditions of martyrdom, with mourners engaging in symbolic acts of grief.

However, analysts note that support for the clerical leadership is weak, and the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains absent from public view.The event also highlights Iran's regional alliances, with leaders from Iraq, Lebanon, and other Shi'ite communities attending.

The funeral comes amid economic struggles, protests, and the aftermath of the 2026 war, which has left Iran's leadership facing significant challenges.