Iran Holds State Funeral for Ali Khamenei as Security Fears Shape Succession

Millions of Iranians gathered in Tehran on Saturday for the state funeral of slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, while authorities confirmed that his son and successor, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, would not lead funeral prayers because of heightened assassination concerns.

Iranian state media said three senior ayatollahs would instead preside over ceremonies in Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad. Mojtaba Khamenei, appointed supreme leader in March after being injured in the same U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed his father on Feb. 28, has not appeared publicly since assuming the role.

According to Iranian officials and reports citing members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), security advisers opposed his public appearance out of concern that Israel could track his movements or target him.

Thousands of mourners filled Tehran’s Grand Mosalla mosque, where Ali Khamenei’s flag-draped casket was displayed alongside family members killed in the attack. Iranian authorities expect as many as 20 million people to participate in funeral events through July 9, with the procession continuing through Qom, Iraq’s holy cities of Karbala and Najaf, before the burial in Mashhad.

Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said representatives from more than 70 countries attended the ceremonies, including delegations from Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt. Iran declared a three-day public holiday, tightened security, and restricted airspace during the events.

Meanwhile, indirect Iran-U.S. nuclear negotiations mediated by Qatar and Pakistan remain ongoing despite recent tensions. The latest technical talks were held in Doha, with U.S. President Donald Trump describing the discussions as "very good." Iran claimed progress on releasing frozen assets, although U.S. officials denied any agreement had been reached. Another round of talks is expected on July 11 in Pakistan after the funeral concludes.

Regional tensions also remained elevated as Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to meet in Washington following the NATO summit in Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged Israel not to derail diplomatic efforts, while Britain and France announced plans with Oman to safeguard navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran criticized the move, warning against what it called the military involvement of outside powers in the strategic waterway.