Iran prepares for funeral ceremonies without naming prayer leader

TEHRAN: Iranian authorities have not officially announced who will lead funeral prayers for the country’s late Supreme Leader, despite the start of a series of public mourning ceremonies scheduled across Iran.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry sources told local media that senior Shiite cleric Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani is expected to lead the main funeral prayer in Tehran, although no official confirmation has been issued.

Authorities have also not said whether the same cleric will preside over funeral prayers in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad, or whether different religious figures will lead the ceremonies.

Historically, Iran’s supreme leader has not necessarily led funeral prayers for a predecessor. When Ruhollah Khomeini died in 1989, his funeral prayers were led by Mohammad Reza Golpaygani, then head of the Qom seminary, before Ali Khamenei was later chosen as supreme leader.

According to the report, funeral ceremonies are scheduled in Tehran from July 4 to July 6, followed by services in Qom on July 7. The body is then expected to be taken to Najaf and Karbala for additional funeral prayers before returning to Iran.

The final funeral prayer is scheduled for July 9 in Mashhad, where burial is expected to take place.

The report also said security surrounding the ceremonies is expected to be extensive, with authorities anticipating attendance by more than 10 million mourners. Officials are expected to prioritize the security of Iran’s current supreme leader during the public events.