Iran has announced that funeral processions for former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will take place in July, as mediators indicate that a peace agreement to end the war is nearing completion. According to state-run television IRIB, the funeral, burial, and farewell ceremonies for Khamenei will occur between July 4 and 9.
Khamenei was killed in the opening strikes of the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in late February. He has since been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is regarded as even less willing to compromise.
Peace Talks Progress
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Saturday that a deal to end the conflict in the Middle East is closer than ever before and is expected to be finalized within 24 hours. Pakistan is preparing for an electronic signing of the agreement, followed by technical-level talks next week. In a post on X, Sharif thanked the United States and Iran for their commitment during negotiations and expressed gratitude for regional support.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed this sentiment on Friday, posting on X that an agreement has never been closer. US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly indicated that a deal is imminent, shared Araghchi's post on his own social media.
The war, which began on February 28, has disrupted oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf and created instability in the Middle East. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 7. Three regional officials expect a signing ceremony in the coming days following approval from Washington and Tehran.
Funeral Details
Funeral ceremonies for Khamenei are expected to commence in Tehran, then move to Qom, a stronghold of senior Shia clerics, and finally to Mashhad, his birthplace, where he will be buried at the Imam Reza Shrine, the holiest site for Shia devotees. Funerals for Khamenei's daughter and son-in-law, who were also killed in the February strike, will be held on the same day.
Khamenei's Legacy
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dramatically reshaped the Islamic Republic after succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. He expanded the Shia clerical class and built the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard into the most important institution underpinning his rule. The Guard became a military and economic powerhouse, serving as the country's elite force and overseeing its ballistic missile arsenal, with extensive influence across Iran's economic sectors.
