Over 40 million attended Ayatollah Khamenei funeral rites: IRGC official

Brigadier General Hassan Hassanzadeh, an official of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), stated that the combined turnout at the funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei held in Tehran, Qom, Mashhad, Najaf and Karbala exceeded 40 million people. Speaking to Tasnim news agency, he described the funeral as a historic global event, noting that millions of mourners participated across the five cities. He added that mourners traveled from several countries, including Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, as well as the Kashmir region, to take part in the ceremonies. Hassanzadeh characterized the event as a manifestation of Islamic unity and the integrity of the Resistance current.

The body of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, was laid to rest at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (a.s.) in Mashhad on July 9, following days of massive farewell ceremonies in Tehran, Qom, and Iraq. According to the report, Ayatollah Khamenei was martyred in a joint US-Israeli strike on Tehran on February 28, 2026, at the outset of a 40-day war of aggression against Iran. His martyrdom triggered widespread mourning across the region and the world.

The report by Mehr News Agency added that the funeral ceremonies drew millions of mourners, reflecting the deep respect and devotion of the people towards the late leader. The massive turnout underscored the significance of Ayatollah Khamenei's role in the Islamic world and the Resistance movement.