Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman released the official schedule Thursday for the funeral ceremonies of dictator Ali Khamenei, set to take place Friday. According to the regime’s announcement, the ceremonies have been meticulously planned to project stability and absolute control in the heart of Tehran.
2+According to the announcement, public viewing will begin at 8:00 a.m., with crowds expected to flock to the ceremony sites to demonstrate loyalty to the regime. The ceremonies will continue until noon, when leaders and senior officials who have landed in Tehran will gather to make their presence known.
Diplomatic Show of Force in Tehran
The main ceremony will take place at 2:00 p.m. with participation from senior regime officials and political figures. According to the Foreign Ministry’s announcement, the regime has managed to secure representatives from roughly 100 different countries who will attend the ceremony—including prime ministers, foreign ministers, parliamentary speakers, and special envoys.
2+The question of whether Mojtaba Khamenei—Ali Khamenei’s son and Iran’s new Supreme Leader—will attend and appear publicly remains one of the central and most intriguing mysteries ahead of the national funeral.
Since his father was killed in late February 2026 in an American strike that also wounded Mojtaba and killed his mother, sister, and wife, he has not been seen in public at all. His various statements have been delivered only through written messages or audio communication.
2+His prolonged disappearance from public view has ignited a rumor mill in Iran regarding his health and medical condition, even as the regime tries to project stability and displays street posters of the new leader alongside his late father. Official Iranian sources, including funeral headquarters secretary Ali-Akbar Forujmeshidian, have refused to commit regarding his physical attendance, saying the matter is not under their authority or knowledge.