Lead
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran on July 6 to take part in a farewell procession for the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to TASS correspondents. The procession, which carried Khamenei's body along Azadi Street, drew attendees from nearly all of Iran's 31 provinces, many of whom had traveled to the capital specifically for the event.
Iranian authorities had prepared extensive security and logistical measures for the large-scale event, anticipating a significant influx of mourners. Tehran's airspace was closed on July 6, and temporary changes were introduced to public transportation, according to the head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization, Abouzar Shiroudi, and other officials quoted by TASS.
The farewell ceremony began earlier, on July 4, with the body lying in state at the Mosalla of Tehran, the capital's largest religious complex. From Tehran, the body is scheduled to be taken to Qom, then to Iraq, and finally to Mashhad, Khamenei's hometown, where he is to be buried on July 9.
Coverage Comparison
All available reporting on the event comes from TASS correspondents on the ground, offering a detailed account of the proceedings. The reports highlight the scale of the turnout, the emotional response of the crowd, and the extensive logistical operation mounted by Iranian authorities.
Security arrangements were a prominent focus in the coverage. According to TASS, Iranian authorities enhanced security across Tehran in anticipation of the large number of pilgrims. Over 65,000 law enforcement officers were deployed to ensure security during mourning events in Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad, as reported by Iran's Chief of Police Ahmad-Reza Radan. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and army soldiers were also present, clearing paths for the procession and preventing overcrowding.
Transportation measures included around-the-clock operation of the metro and express bus lines from Friday morning until the end of all mourning ceremonies. Several metro stations closest to the religious center—Mosalla, Shahid Beheshti, and Mirzaye Shirazi—were closed to avoid overcrowding, with free shuttles organized from other stations. Road sections along the procession route, stretching from Damavand Street to Azadi Square, were closed to traffic.
Medical and emergency services were also mobilized. The Tehran ambulance service deployed around 1,500 medical professionals, 317 cars, 300 motorcycles, and six helicopters, along with six field hospitals. The Iranian Red Crescent Society mobilized at least 67,000 employees and volunteers to provide medical care and assist with accommodation.
Key Claims
The farewell ceremony for Ali Khamenei began in Tehran on Friday at 6:00 a.m. local time, with the body lying in state at the Tehran Mosalla from July 4 to July 5.
A large-scale procession carrying Khamenei's body and those of his family members took place on Azadi Street. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians participated, with many families with children in attendance.
Over 200 foreign reporters observed the ceremony from the city hall's roof.
A funeral procession will carry Khamenei's body from Enghelab Street to Azadi Square. The body will then be transported to Qom, Iran's main religious center, where mourning ceremonies will be held on July 7.
On July 8, Khamenei's body will be taken to Iraq for separate farewell ceremonies in Karbala and Najaf. The funeral is scheduled for July 9 in Mashhad, home to the Imam Reza Shrine.
Tehran's airspace will be closed on July 6 due to the large-scale funeral procession, as announced by Abouzar Shiroudi.
Representatives from almost all 31 provinces attended the farewell procession, and high-level delegations from at least 100 countries attended a mourning event.
Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes, according to TASS reports.