Iran’s Supreme Leader Absence Heats Up Funeral as Thousands Pay Homage

The death of the country’s long‑standing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei created an atmosphere of profound mourning across Iran. Sunday marked the first day of the state funeral, with crowds expected to exceed ten million within the capital alone.

Senior regime figures, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Revolutionary Guards chief Ahmad Vahidi, were present in the ceremony held in the Grand Mosalla. Four of Khamenei’s sons – Masoud, Mostafa and Meysam – stood beside the coffin, but the eldest son, Mojtaba Khamenei, did not appear, fueling rumors that he was injured during recent air strikes that also carried out the Supreme Leader’s death.

The funeral process will span a week, travelling through Tehran, Qom and a major Shi’ite city in Iraq before burial in the late leader’s hometown of Mashhad. The event, dubbed the “funeral of the century,” is being delivered under tight security to avoid crowd crushes as extra medical tents were set up around the venue.

Throughout his tenure, Ali Khamenei maintained a hardline stance against the West, supporting groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. His passing marks a symbolic turning point, with the presence of his sons underscoring internal dynastic continuity amid regional tensions. The multinational march will see flags, solemn prayers, and the muffled echo of people stepping down with ceremony into the night.