Iran announces funeral and burial dates for late Supreme Leader Khamenei
Iran's presidency has announced that the first funeral ceremony for late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will be held in Tehran on 4-5 July. The funeral will take place in the shadow of ongoing military confrontation with the United States. The debate over Khamenei's successor marks a critical transition period for Iranian politics.
Al Jazeera reports that the first funeral ceremony will be held in Tehran's streets on Friday 4 July, with burial at the Imam Khomeini Mausoleum on Saturday 5 July. State television has declared a seven-day official mourning period.
The Assembly of Experts has been called to convene on 24 July to select Khamenei's successor. Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani are seen as the two leading candidates. Foad Izadi, political scientist at the University of Tehran, told Al Jazeera: "The transition is under exceptional pressure because of the ongoing confrontation with the United States."
Reuters reports that China's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian conveyed Beijing's condolences to Tehran. Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the condolence message had been delivered formally at the level of the president. For Turkey, this highlights a moment in which regional diplomatic balances are being reshaped.
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