Iran Mourns Slain Leader As Khamenei’s Funeral Set For Holy City Of Mashhad

Iran: The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the age of 86 has shaken the whole of Iran. He lost his life in joint attacks by America and Israel on Saturday. Now news of his funeral has started coming in, and tension is increasing in the entire area.

Where will the funeral be held?

According to Iranian media and AFP reports, Khamenei's funeral will be held in the city of Mashhad. It is the second largest city of Iran which is situated in the northeast of the country. The city is sacred to Shia Muslims because it houses the Rauza of Imam Reza – the largest pilgrimage site in Shia Islam, visited by millions of people every year.

Khamenei was also born in Mashhad and his father's grave is also in this city. Family, religion and customs – this place seems best from all three points of view. It is being told that he will be buried near or behind the throne, like his father was buried.

What will the farewell ceremony be like in Tehran?

A funeral service will be held in Tehran before the burial. IRGC has given this information on its Telegram channel. Thousands of people will gather – some will shed tears, some will be angry. The exact date of the funeral has not been announced yet. Security, preparedness, and war conditions – all taken together may take time.

Some reports are saying that the tributes will continue in Tehran from Friday-Saturday, then the body will be taken to Mashhad. 40 days of national mourning have been declared across Iran and week-long holidays have been declared in many places.

What impact did Khamenei's death have on Iran and the region?

Khamenei held the reins of Iran for 36 years. He was the second supreme leader of the country after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Be it defense, economy or education—his approval was necessary on every major decision. He played a major role in making Iran powerful in the Middle East.

After his death, Iran's retaliatory attacks have intensified. Drones and missiles are being fired on many countries including Bahrain, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia. There have been more than 500 deaths in the entire area and the scope of the war is increasing. Shia communities in Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan are also shocked and angry.

When will the new supreme leader be elected?

Immediately after Khamenei's death, an interim council of three people took charge of the country. It consists of President Masoud Pezheshkian, Chief Justice Gholam-Hussein Mohseni-Ezei, and Expert Council member Alireza Arfi.

The new supreme leader will be chosen by an 88-member expert council, but this work may get postponed amid the war. The name of Hassan Khomeini is being discussed — the grandson of Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Revolution — but nothing has been decided yet. Many big leaders have also been killed in the attacks, so the situation remains very uncertain.