Millions gathered in Iran to say goodbye to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in the conflict with the United States and Israel. On Monday, crowds filled Tehran as Ayatollah Khamenei’s casket moved through the streets. His body will visit multiple cities before its final resting place in Mashhad, Iran.
On July 6, 2026, millions in the Iranian capital mourned the former supreme leader. Many held signs demanding retribution for his death in the early stages of the war initiated by the US and Israel.
A vast number of people surrounded the truck carrying the ayatollah’s coffin. The streets of Tehran were crowded with participants holding posters of Ayatollah Khamenei accompanied by images of a clenched fist. Some mourners held portraits of President Trump and Vice President JD Vance in crosshairs, accompanied by the message, “There will be blood.”
In an attempt to help with the heat, Iranian officers sprayed water on the flag-waving crowd as temperatures reached above 90 degrees. The government planned the weeklong funeral to both honor a leader who suppressed dissent and promoted Islamist and anti-Western policies, and to showcase national unity and resilience.
Ayatollah Khamenei served as Iran’s leader for over 37 years, up until his death on February 28, during the initial day of the US-Israeli assault. Although a ceasefire has been established between the US and Iran, peace talks are on hold until after the funeral ceremonies.