Tehran declares three-day public holiday for Khamenei's funeral

Iranian authorities have announced a three-day public holiday in Tehran to facilitate the funeral and farewell ceremonies of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking one of the most significant state events in the country’s recent history.

Iranian state media confirmed the decision on Tuesday (June 23) as preparations intensify for a series of nationwide commemorative ceremonies.

According to the official schedule, public viewing and mourning ceremonies will take place at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla on July 4 and 5, where citizens will be given the opportunity to pay their final respects. A state funeral and farewell procession are set to be held in the capital on July 6, prompting authorities to declare a three-day public holiday across Tehran Province.

The commemorations will continue beyond the capital, with a major religious gathering scheduled in the holy city of Qom on July 7. The final stage of the funeral proceedings will take place in Mashhad, where Khamenei is expected to be laid to rest on July 9 following days of nationwide mourning and remembrance.

Iranian authorities have reportedly put extensive security measures in place amid expectations of large crowds attending the ceremonies. Officials view the events as both a national tribute and a major logistical undertaking, given Khamenei’s decades-long influence over the country’s political and religious institutions.

Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for nearly 36 years, was killed earlier this year during the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, according to Iranian state media and international reports. His death marked the end of one of the longest and most consequential leadership eras in modern Iranian history.

Political observers say the funeral ceremonies carry significance beyond state mourning, coming at a time when Iran is navigating a sensitive leadership transition and broader questions about the country’s future direction. The week-long events are expected to draw domestic and international attention as Iran bids farewell to a figure who shaped its politics for more than three decades.