Iran is bidding farewell to former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with one of the largest state ceremonies in its history a seven‑day procession stretching across multiple holy cities and marked by extraordinary security preparations. The funeral, following his death in a joint US‑Israeli strike, is being framed by Tehran as a display of national strength, unity and capability.
Khamenei’s body will travel from Tehran to Qom before being taken to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq for religious rites. After the ceremonies, the coffin will return to Iran, where he will be laid to rest on 9 July in his birthplace, Mashhad. Millions are expected to line the route, creating one of the largest public gatherings the country has ever attempted to manage.
But behind the scenes, a leaked letter has raised alarm. A journalist in Tehran, writing anonymously to German outlet Welt, claimed the document originated from Iran’s Red Crescent and National Disaster Management Organization. It reportedly warns that 1,500 to 3,000 people could die during the massive crowds, with additional cases of missing persons likely. The letter was allegedly sent to First Vice‑President Mohammad Reza Aref.
The document also claims a special unit has been formed to handle potential casualties and that thousands of new graves have already been dug at Behesht‑e Zahra, Tehran’s largest cemetery. A municipal worker confirmed the graves exist, adding that internal sources believe “even more than three thousand deaths would be acceptable” given the extreme heat and the sheer number of people expected to gather. “No one really knows what will happen,” he said.
Iranian officials have publicly dismissed fears of mass casualties, insisting the funeral will proceed safely. Yet the leaked letter suggests authorities are quietly preparing for a worst‑case scenario as the nation embarks on an unprecedented farewell to one of its most powerful figures.
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