Hamas and PIJ Leaders Attend Funeral of Iran's Late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
Funeral Ceremonies for Ali Khamenei in Tehran
On Friday, senior figures from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) participated in the funeral services for Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran. This event attracted thousands of mourners and international dignitaries, marking one of the largest state ceremonies in Iran in recent years. The funeral is taking place at Tehran's Grand Mosalla, where Khamenei's body is currently lying in state, preceding a multi-day procession. These ceremonies follow Khamenei's death, which occurred amid escalating tensions due to US-Israeli military actions against Iran. Iranian officials have organized seven days of mourning, anticipating millions to join in the observance.
The Hamas delegation was led by Muhammad Darwish, who heads the movement's leadership council. Other notable Hamas officials in attendance included Zaher Jabarin, Osama Hamdan, Mousa Abu Marzouk, Basem Naim, Izzat al-Risheq, and Khaled Qaddoumi. The PIJ delegation was headed by Secretary-General Ziad al-Nakhalah, accompanied by senior member Ihsan Ataya and others from the group. The presence of leaders from both factions underscores Iran's enduring political and military alliances with Palestinian militant groups, as Tehran has consistently provided them with financial, political, and military backing.
As reported by Iranian state media, representatives from over 100 nations are expected to participate in various phases of the funeral. Iran's Foreign Ministry has confirmed that at least eight heads of state or government will be present, highlighting the international importance of this event. Among the distinguished foreign attendees are Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. Russia has dispatched Dmitry Medvedev as a special envoy from President Vladimir Putin, while Afghanistan's Taliban government is represented by Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Numerous other political, diplomatic, and religious delegations have also arrived in Tehran.
After the ceremonies in Tehran, the funeral procession will proceed to the holy city of Qom, followed by visits to the Iraqi shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala. Khamenei will ultimately be laid to rest at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace, on July 9. Iranian authorities have implemented extensive security measures for the funeral, anticipating large crowds throughout the week. The ceremonies are being closely monitored across the Middle East, as regional leaders and allied groups pay their respects to Khamenei while Iran prepares for a leadership transition in the wake of his passing.