For six days, Iran begins official funeral ceremonies for Khamenei

July 4, 2026 - 13:17 | Last updated July 4, 2026 - 13:17

From the funeral procession.

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Okaz (Tehran)

Iran began on Saturday a multi-day funeral ceremony for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran before his flag-draped coffin inside a glass case.

Khamenei's coffin was placed before the coffins of his family members, who were killed in an airstrike at the start of the US-Israeli offensive on February 28.

The former leader's body is scheduled to be buried next Thursday in the city of Mashhad, his birthplace.

For his part, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said on Saturday that 'the Strait is not an arena for military power projection by forces from outside the region.'

Commenting on the statement issued by France and the United Kingdom regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Gharibabadi warned in a post on platform X against 'any military move in this sensitive waterway,' considering that the security of the Strait of Hormuz is the responsibility of the littoral states, and those who cause crises will bear the consequences of their adventures. This is a serious warning, according to him.

Britain and France stated in a joint statement on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for the global economy, and ensuring safe passage for ships of all nations through it is a matter of global importance.

The joint statement clarified that Oman has agreed to cooperate with Britain and France to ensure safety of navigation in its sovereign territorial waters.

The UK and France are preparing to launch a military mission to maintain the strait without future blockades.

It is worth noting that this major shipping lane, through which one-fifth of global oil flows passes, was closed at the height of the war between Iran, the United States, and Israel, causing global fuel prices to rise. However, it was reopened after the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Tehran and the administration of US President Donald Trump last June.

Iran, Khamenei funeral, funeral ceremony