Funeral procession for Khamenei: body arrives in Qom, coffins in Tehran and Qom

Anti-American chants during the funeral procession

During the procession, there were also political expressions, according to accounts from state television and matching agency reports. Participants shouted slogans against the United States and Israel. One slogan broadcast by state television read: "Wir wollen kein Abkommen, wir wollen den Kopf von Trump". The statement was directed explicitly at US President Donald Trump. Independent confirmation of the exact prevalence of such chants was not initially available.

The funeral ceremonies come during a phase of considerable tensions between Iran and the United States as well as Israel. In recent weeks, there had been repeated mutual threats and threats of sanctions. The death of Khamenei, who had held the office of Supreme Leader for decades, is considered a political turning point of enormous significance for the region. The question of succession has not yet been conclusively resolved.

Security measures and eyewitness accounts

The route of the convoy passed through central squares in Tehran, including areas near the government quarter. According to local media reports, security forces were deployed in large numbers to secure the procession and control access to certain sections. Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes at times, as crowds tried to get closer to the vehicles.

With the arrival in Qom, another phase of the funeral ceremony begins. A series of religious rituals is planned in the holy city, to be attended by senior clerics, political representatives, and representatives of allied states. The exact program items were announced by state television but remained partly unconfirmed.

International reactions and open questions

International reactions to Khamenei's death and the funeral ceremonies were initially restrained. Several governments were officially waiting for confirmed information regarding the succession and the future orientation of the Iranian leadership before issuing statements. Observers pointed out that the coming days could be decisive for the country's political stability.

Alongside state television's coverage, numerous videos circulated on social media that were intended to demonstrate the density of the crowds. The authenticity and exact timing of individual recordings could not be verified in many cases. Independent journalists reported restricted working conditions on the ground.

Multi-day state mourning in Iran

The Iranian leadership has declared a multi-day period of state mourning. Schools, government offices, and many shops were closed on Monday. Further memorial events are planned for the coming days in several cities, including Mashhad and Isfahan. No precise information about a possible formal burial was initially made known.

Observers see the mass rallies also as a sign of political mobilization. The anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans underscore that the Iranian leadership is using the conflict with Washington and Jerusalem as a central narrative of the mourning phase. The coming weeks are considered decisive for Iran's domestic political consolidation and its foreign policy orientation.