Millions of mourners are expected to line the streets of Iran and Iraq this week for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader for 36 years, who was killed in US and Israeli strikes on 28 February. The six-day ceremony, described by officials as potentially the biggest funeral in modern history, is as much a political statement as a religious observance. But what exactly is the role of Iran's supreme leader, and why does this event matter beyond Iran's borders?
Iran's supreme leader is the country's highest political and religious authority, with final say on all major state matters including foreign policy, the military, and nuclear programme. The position was created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini serving as the first holder. Khamenei succeeded Khomeini in 1989 and ruled for nearly four decades until his death. The supreme leader is chosen by an elected body of clerics called the Assembly of Experts, but in practice the position has been passed down through a hereditary line: Khamenei was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since the attack that killed his father and injured him.
“Explains the role of Iran's supreme leader and the significance of Ali Khamenei's funeral.”
The funeral procession, which began on 3 July 2026, will take Khamenei's body through Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad in Iran, as well as the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. Officials have said up to 20 million mourners may attend, according to AFP. The event is intended to project resilience and national unity, especially as Iran observes a fragile ceasefire with the United States after a preliminary deal in June. However, the funeral also carries risks: past mass gatherings in Iran have led to deadly stampedes, such as during Khomeini's funeral in 1989.
For UK readers, the significance lies in Iran's role as a major geopolitical player. The supreme leader controls Iran's nuclear ambitions and its support for proxy groups across the Middle East, which directly affect global oil prices, regional stability, and UK security interests. The transition of power to Mojtaba Khamenei, whose whereabouts and health are unknown, introduces uncertainty. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has threatened to kill Mojtaba, raising the possibility of further conflict. Meanwhile, the funeral's overlap with the 250th anniversary of US Independence Day adds a layer of political symbolism, underscoring Iran's defiance of the West.
Q: Who is Iran's new supreme leader? Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ali Khamenei, has succeeded his father as supreme leader. He was severely injured in the same US-Israeli strike that killed his father and has not appeared in public since. He has issued only written statements, including one distancing himself from ceasefire negotiations.
Q: Why was Ali Khamenei's funeral delayed? Khamenei was killed on 28 February when the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran. The ensuing war forced authorities to postpone funeral arrangements until a fragile ceasefire was agreed in June. The delay allowed time to organise a massive security operation.
Q: How will the funeral affect Iran's relations with the UK? The UK, as a close ally of the US, is likely to view the funeral as a display of Iran's political and military strength. The transition to a new, possibly more isolated supreme leader could complicate diplomatic efforts. The UK has previously expressed concerns over Iran's nuclear programme and human rights record.
What happens next? The funeral will conclude on 9 July with Khamenei's burial in Mashhad. Mojtaba Khamenei's first public appearance remains uncertain, and his absence may fuel speculation about his health or authority. The ceasefire with the US is fragile, and further attacks by Israel on Iranian leaders could reignite conflict. The international community will watch closely for any shifts in Iran's domestic stability or foreign policy under its new supreme leader.