Funeral arrangements for Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have been revised several times this week, reflecting growing security concerns, uncertainty over foreign participation, and unresolved questions about his successor.
The initial plan, announced soon after his death on March 1, proposed a three-stage funeral procession through Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad before his burial in his hometown.
However, a day later, after the death of his wife Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh was announced, authorities changed the plan to a joint burial at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad.
On Wednesday morning, state television reported that Khamenei’s coffin would be placed at Tehran’s Mosalla (Prayer Grounds) for public viewing. By midday, the ceremony was postponed until the evening, and later officials said it would take place at an unspecified time.
State television also aired footage of workers preparing a podium where the coffin was expected to be displayed behind bulletproof glass.
Security concerns and succession uncertainty
Security worries appear to be a key reason for the repeated delays. Iran is preparing a state funeral during an ongoing regional conflict, and Israeli officials have warned that anyone appointed as the next Supreme Leader could become a potential target.
Some foreign dignitaries, particularly those linked to Hezbollah and the Houthis, are reportedly hesitant to attend due to security risks. Their concerns were heightened after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran during former President Ebrahim Raisi’s funeral.
Lower-level delegations from China and Russia are expected to attend instead.
The question of succession is also adding uncertainty. Ahmad Khatami, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, said the body had not yet reached a final decision on Khamenei’s successor.
“Allowing everyone to express their views is extremely difficult during wartime,” he said on state television.
Some clerics believe announcing a successor before the former leader is buried would be inappropriate, while others argue that naming a new leader during the funeral itself could help project unity and legitimacy.
Concerns over public turnout
Authorities also appear concerned about public turnout for the funeral. State television acknowledged that officials are planning to bring supporters from other cities to ensure what it described as “a funeral attended by millions.”
Iran’s leadership is keen to replicate the massive crowds that gathered for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s funeral in 1989, when official figures claimed around 10 million mourners, though foreign journalists estimated between two and four million.
Organising large crowds across Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad for a multi-city procession, however, poses logistical challenges amid war and domestic discontent.
Analysts say the leadership wants a large and symbolic display of loyalty, especially if a new Supreme Leader is announced during the funeral. Some believe the effort to carefully stage such a moment may explain why Khamenei’s funeral has been repeatedly delayed in recent days. (Agency)
