Khamenei's body arrives in Mashhad for burial after week of processions

Khamenei's body arrives in Mashhad for burial after week of processions After a week-long mass funeral, the body of Iran ’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has arrived in the northeastern city of Mashhad, where a burial ceremony will take place as the final step. The plane carrying Khamenei's body, along with those of his four family members killed alongside him, was escorted by Iranian military jets and arrived at Mashhad's Shahid Hasheminejad Airport early on Thursday. But Iranian media announced that the burial ceremony will now take place at 2pm local time, eight hours later than originally planned. The delay came just hours after the US and Iran resumed air strikes following a short-term truce. While US strikes on railway bridges disrupted travel between Tehran and Mashhad, Iranian officials insist the delay is not linked to the attacks. Instead, Iranian state media claims the postponement is due to an overwhelming crowd of mourners. Mashhad, the slain leader’s home town, is currently hosting immense crowds from across Iran and Iraq . The city holds particular religious significance because it is home to the shrine of Imam Reza, a prominent figure for Shia Muslims. Read more: Khamenei's body arrives in Mashhad for burial after week of processions Mourners gather by Imam Reza shrine for the burial of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 9 July 2026 (Mohammed Salem/Reuters)