Iran Postpones State Funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei As Authorities Anticipate Massive Turnout

Tehran: Iran has postponed the planned state funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iranian state television reported on Wednesday, citing expectations of an unprecedented public turnout at the ceremony.

The funeral, which had been scheduled to begin later in the day in Tehran, was called off by authorities who said preparations could not accommodate the anticipated crowds. State media said a new date for the ceremony will be announced later, but did not specify when the funeral will be rescheduled.

Khamenei was killed in US–Israeli air strikes last saturday. Iranian television described the decision as being made “in anticipation of unprecedented turnout,” reflecting both the scale of public grief and the logistical challenges of holding a mass funeral in the current climate.

Khamenei’s death has marked a pivotal moment in Iranian politics and the wider West Asian conflict. Meanwhile, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of late supreme leader was selected as his successor as the new Supreme leader of Iran.