In this photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prays at the grave of the late Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Khomeini, commemorating the 47th anniversary of his return from exile during 1979 Islamic Revolution, just outside Tehran, Iran, January 31, 2026. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Iran postpones funeral for Khamenei — state media

Officials say ceremony delayed due to expected ‘unprecedented turnout,’ citing need to prepare infrastructure; authorities don’t link move to security concerns

by · The Times of Israel

TEHRAN — Iran announced that a state funeral for supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which had been planned for Wednesday evening in Tehran, was postponed “in anticipation of unprecedented turnout,” state television reported.

“The farewell ceremony for the martyred Imam has been postponed. The new date will be announced later,” Iranian television reported after Khamenei was killed at the age of 86 in an Israeli strike on Saturday.

On Wednesday morning, authorities had said a tribute would take place that same evening in Tehran before Khamenei’s body was buried in the holy city of Mashhad, where he was from.

State media also announced on Sunday a 40-day public mourning period..

Strikes have pummeled Tehran since Saturday, with missiles targeting military and government infrastructure.

Authorities did not link the postponement to the security situation.

Government supporters gather in mourning after state TV officially announced the death of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP/Vahid Salemi)

It was partly due to “the expected participation of millions of people and the need to provide the proper infrastructure” for such a crowd, Mohsen Mahmoudi, head of Tehran’s Islamic Development Coordination Council, the body organizing the event, told state TV.

On Sunday, thousands gathered in the center of Tehran to mourn Khamenei’s death, journalists said.

The mourners, dressed mostly in black and some crying, chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” in Enghelab (Revolution) Square, with many waving Iran’s flags and holding photos of Khamenei.

Millions attended the funeral of his predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1989.

A government supporter holds a picture of the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a gathering after state TV officially announced the death of Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran, March 1, 2026. (AP/Vahid Salemi)

Iran’s leaders are currently scrambling to replace Khamenei, who ruled the country for 37 years. It’s only the second time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that a new supreme leader is being chosen.

Potential candidates range from hard-liners committed to confrontation with the West to reformists who seek diplomatic engagement. Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei’s son, is said to be the frontrunner — despite the fact he has never been elected or appointed to a government position.