Iran Begins Preparations for State Funeral of Late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iranian authorities have begun preliminary preparations for a large-scale state funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to reports carried by Iranian state media. However, officials have not yet announced a final date for the ceremony.

The development was reported on Saturday by the Israeli news outlet The Times of Israel, citing information from Iranian state television and other official sources.

According to Iranian state media, a special high-level committee has already been established to oversee funeral arrangements and memorial events for the longtime Iranian leader. Mohsen Mahmoudi, head of Tehran’s Islamic Development Coordination Council, said various government agencies and relevant institutions have begun planning and logistical preparations for the event.

Ayatollah Khamenei was reportedly killed during the first wave of joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, according to multiple international media reports. He had served as Iran’s highest political and religious authority for more than three decades.

Reports also indicated that his son and successor, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, was injured during the attack. Since assuming leadership, Mojtaba Khamenei has made only limited public appearances, reportedly due to security concerns.

The funeral process has reportedly faced repeated delays because of the ongoing conflict and security situation in the region. Although a memorial event was held in Tehran in April, authorities were unable to organize a full state funeral and burial ceremony amid wartime conditions.

Iranian state television said government agencies are working to ensure security and logistical readiness for the event. Officials expect a large turnout once the formal date for the state funeral is announced.

Meanwhile, although a ceasefire that took effect in April has largely remained in place, broader geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel remain unresolved. Diplomatic efforts have continued in recent weeks, but no comprehensive settlement has yet been reached.

Analysts say the planned funeral is likely to become one of the most significant political and religious gatherings in Iran in recent years, reflecting both Khamenei’s long tenure and the continuing uncertainty surrounding the region’s future.