More than 100 days after his death, Iran has postponed the state funeral of late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei once again. Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani announced on Thursday that the ceremony will now be held in late June or early July. The delay raises fresh questions about why the country has not yet buried its leader of nearly 37 years.
New Timeline
Zakani said the three-day funeral event will take place after the first ten days of Muharram, the opening month of the Islamic calendar. This is a period of mourning that commemorates Imam Hussein, one of the most revered figures in Shia Islam. The delay is intended to let those religious observances conclude before the state funeral begins. Based on the revised timeline, the ceremony is now expected to happen between June 26 and July 5.
Why Is He Still Unburied?
Khamenei was killed at his residence in central Tehran on February 28. His death came during US-Israeli strikes on the opening day of the Middle East war. A state funeral had originally been scheduled for March 4 but was postponed as the conflict escalated. Iranian authorities later indicated the funeral would be held in early Muharram. That timeline has now also slipped.
The repeated delays have coincided with ongoing conflict, active nuclear negotiations with the United States, and a significant transition in Iran’s political leadership. This suggests the funeral’s timing carries weight beyond religious scheduling.
A Burial Fit for a Supreme Leader
Deputy Tehran Mayor Mohammad Amin Tavakolizadeh reportedly said ceremonies will be held not only in the capital but also in the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad. Khamenei is expected to be buried in Mashhad, a city of deep religious significance for Iranian Shia Muslims. Events in Tehran alone are expected to last at least 24 hours.
20 Million Expected
Iranian authorities have been preparing for what could be one of the largest public gatherings in the country’s history. Officials previously estimated that as many as 20 million people could participate in funeral events across multiple cities. Security and logistical arrangements are expected to be among the most extensive ever undertaken by the Iranian state.
More than three months after his death, Ali Khamenei remains unburied. War, diplomacy, and political transition have all played a role in the delay. Iran now says the funeral will happen in late June or early July. But given the repeated postponements, many will wait to see if this timeline finally holds.
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