The Iranian authorities have announced multi-day funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 during the war between the US, Israel, and Iran. The events will take place from July 3 to July 9 and will be held in cities in Iran and Iraq. CNN reports this, writes UNN.
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The funeral campaign will cover Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad, as well as the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala. Thus, Tehran is turning the farewell to Khamenei into a large-scale national and regional event several months after his death.
On July 3, a ceremony is planned in Tehran with the participation of foreign leaders and high-ranking officials. The public farewell will take place on July 4 and 5, and the mourning procession through the capital will be on July 6.
Funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to last three days – media02.06.26, 21:32
On July 7, mourning events will be held in Qom, on July 8 - in the holy Shiite cities of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, and the ceremonies will conclude on July 9 in Mashhad, Khamenei's hometown. It is there, at the Imam Reza shrine, one of the main pilgrimage centers for Shiites, that he is to be buried.
According to CNN, the long delay in holding the funeral has raised questions about the situation surrounding Khamenei's successor and has sparked criticism from opponents of the Iranian authorities, who suggest that the authorities are trying to ensure the maximum number of participants in the ceremonies.
Iraq has already confirmed the holding of processions in Najaf and Karbala, and local organizers have begun accrediting journalists to cover the events.