Millions gather for funeral of former Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Large crowds have assembled in Tehran to attend the funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Authorities expect up to 20 million people to participate in ceremonies across Iran and Iraq over the coming days.
Amalgamated from Al Jazeera (opens in new tab), BBC World (opens in new tab), BBC World (opens in new tab)
Millions of people gathered in Tehran on July 5, 2026, for funeral prayers following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader of Iran. Al Jazeera reports that these gatherings included prayer services for both the leader and his family members.
The scale of the events is expected to continue across the region in the coming days. According to BBC World, Iranian authorities estimate that up to 20 million people will attend various funeral ceremonies across both Iran and Iraq during this period. The BBC characterizes the transition as an intensely political moment for the country.
These gatherings occur at a time of significant leadership change within the Iranian government. While official figures for total attendance are estimates provided by authorities, reports from Tehran confirm that large crowds have already assembled to mark the occasion. Local and regional leaders are expected to participate in the various commemorations as they unfold over several days.
Why this matters
The death of a long-serving leader creates a period of significant transition and uncertainty regarding the future leadership of the Iranian government.
What's confirmed / what isn't
All sources confirm that large crowds are attending funeral prayers in Tehran. The figure of 20 million participants is an estimate provided by authorities for the period across both Iran and Iraq.
Background
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei served as Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989, holding the highest position of power in the Islamic Republic.