What to Know About Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as His Funeral Services Begin in Iran
Iran’s longstanding supreme leader concentrated power, presided over crackdowns and built an armed proxy network that projected influence across the Middle East.
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Behind the funeral: Khamenei’s coffin becomes stage for Iran’s wounded power
As Ali Khamenei’s coffin is carried through days of state-orchestrated mourning, the Islamic Republic is trying to recast a humiliating wartime death as martyrdom, continuity and power, and repair a system wounded by war and public distrust.
Iran mourns former Supreme Leader as millions gather in Tehran for funeral ceremony
Tehran [Iran], July 4 (ANI): Over 10 million people, including representatives from more than 100 countries, expected in Tehran for funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed along with family members at the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, Al Jazeera reported.
Large crowds gather in Tehran on first day of Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral
Ali Khamenei's body will lie in state in Tehran's Grand Mosalla until Monday, before travelling across Iran and Iraq.
Why Algeria still holds elections when the outcomes are predetermined
Why Algeria still holds elections when the outcomes are predetermined Submitted by Amel Boubekeur on Fri, 07/03/2026 - 16:26 Strict filtering of candidates has changed the conversation. Campaigns are no longer about ideology and pledges, but about the right to be visible at all A man votes at a polling station in Algiers during parliamentary elections on 2 July 2026 (AFP) Off I have been returning to the same question since the 2009 presidential election in Algeria : what remains politically interesting about this process when the results are known in advance? Fraud, low turnout and the weakness of parliament are all contributing factors to this procedural failure.
Crowds gather as six-day funeral for former Iranian supreme leader begins
Up to 30 million people expected to attend delayed events for Ali Khamenei, killed at start of war with US and Israel The funeral of the former Iranian supreme leader has begun as the gates of the sprawling Grand Mosalla mosque in central Tehran let in thousands of mourners early morning who had been waiting through the night to enter the grounds. Iran is staging mass funeral processions for Ali Khamenei – whose 37-year reign was brought to an end in February by the first airstrike of the war launched by the US and Israel. Continue reading...
Momentary Unity at a Funeral Masks Deep Divisions Among Iran’s Leaders
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence has raised questions inside Iranian political circles about who is really running the country and allowed open divisions to fester.
Poll Names Trump as Worst American in History
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – US President Donald Trump topped a poll asking Americans to name the worst person in their history—though he also leads the field among those Republicans think is the greatest.
‘Mind Your Malnutrition Rates’, Qalibaf Tells Trump
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf hit back at Donald Trump, telling the US president to “mind your malnutrition rates” after Trump claimed Iran needed American food exports.
Iran Begins Dayslong Funeral For Khamenei Amid Tight Security
Newest first Newest first Oldest first 09:43 Iran Begins Dayslong Funeral For Khamenei Amid Tight Security By Kian Sharifi A giant banner with an image of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is seen hanging on a building near Tehran's Grand Mosalla prayer complex during Khamenei's fu
Iran Begins Dayslong Funeral For Khamenei
Newest first Newest first Oldest first 09:43 Iran Begins Dayslong Funeral For Khamenei By Kian Sharifi A giant banner with an image of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is seen hanging on a building near Tehran's Grand Mosalla prayer complex during Khamenei's funeral ceremonies in Tehran on July 4.
Mourners chant ‘revenge’ at Khamenei funeral in Tehran
Mourners chant ‘revenge’ at Khamenei funeral in Tehran Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla complex and chanted “death to America” and “revenge, revenge” as they awaited the arrival of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s coffin, according to AFP. The news agency reported that many attendees carried red banners, a symbol often associated with calls for revenge. Large crowds were also seen gathering outside metro stations across Tehran early in the day as mourners travelled to attend the funeral ceremonies.
Trump claims US gave Iran "week off" for Khamenei's funeral, touts military might
South Dakota [US], July 4 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) punctuated his address with a sharp, provocative swipe at Iran, claiming to have given the nation a 'week off' for the funeral ceremony of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Morning update
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have officially begun in Tehran, with millions of mourners and delegations from more than 100 countries expected to participate. The event has become one of the largest political and religious gatherings in Iran’s recent history, while diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran continue in the background and tensions remain in Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories. Here are the latest updates: Official funeral ceremonies for Ali Khamenei began at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, where thousands gathered before dawn to pay their respects.
President Urges Faster Iran-Russia Strategic Cooperation
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for accelerating the implementation of strategic agreements with Russia, while thanking Moscow for its support and solidarity following the recent US-Israeli aggression against Iran.
Video: Foreign leaders and delegations attend Khamenei’s funeral ceremony
Video: Foreign leaders and delegations attend Khamenei’s funeral ceremony Foreign leaders and delegations were in Tehran on Friday to pay tribute to the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Delegations from Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, alongside other regional officials, attended the ceremony to pay their respects. Khamenei served as the leader of the Islamic Republic from 1989 until he was assassinated at the age of 86 on the first day of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on 28 February.
Iranian analyst says Khamenei funeral will draw 20 million, seen as show of support
Iranian analyst says Khamenei funeral will draw 20 million, seen as show of support Iranian international relations researcher Mohsen Farkhani said more than 20 million people are expected to participate in the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, describing the turnout as a demonstration of support for the Islamic Republic. Speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic, Farkhani said the funeral would send a message to Washington and Tel Aviv that external pressure would not weaken Iran’s unity, adding that the legitimacy of the Iranian system is rooted in popular support.
Iran media: US pressure kept 13 countries away from Khamenei funeral
Iran media: US pressure kept 13 countries away from Khamenei funeral At least 13 countries, including several in Eastern Europe, Africa, the Gulf and East Asia, decided against attending the funeral ceremony for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei under US pressure, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported. Some of these governments later sought to explain their absence to Tehran through diplomatic channels, the report said. Citing an unnamed senior source, the report said that US officials had waged a "comprehensive campaign" over the past five days to discourage foreign delegations from travelling to Tehran for the commemorations.
In photos: Thousands gather in Tehran for Khamenei funeral
In photos: Thousands gather in Tehran for Khamenei funeral Thousands of mourners streamed into Tehran’s Grand Mosalla complex ahead of funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with authorities imposing major traffic restrictions as crowds walked long distances to reach the venue.
Xinhua Commentary: At 250, "the American Experiment" faces daunting tests
BEIJING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The United States enters its 250th year at a moment when confidence in its political model is under growing strain. Amid deepening domestic polarization and a contested role abroad, a vital question looms: can Washington bridge the widening chasm between its rhetoric and actions?
