Iran Buries Supreme Leader Khamenei Amid Renewed US-Iran Strikes

Iran on Friday laid to rest former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, more than four months after he was killed in a US airstrike. The burial in Mashhad came as tit-for-tat attacks between Washington and Tehran over two days raised fears of a return to all-out war.

Khamenei's flag-covered coffin was carried into the shrine of Imam Reza in his home city of Mashhad, as a large crowd gathered outside. State broadcaster IRIB reported that the body of the 'martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution' was buried in the memorial hall of the shrine.

The burial followed a second day of attacks by US and Iranian forces. Iranian officials reported that US strikes killed 17 people, with state media saying one strike targeted a railway line between Tehran and Mashhad. Iran resumed attacks on US assets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, while Jordan—a US ally—said its military intercepted eight missiles launched from Iran.

Khamenei was killed alongside close family members on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli war against Iran, according to Iranian sources. His funeral ceremonies spanned six days, culminating in the Mashhad burial.

The event was closely watched for any appearance by Khamenei's son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since his appointment. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, chief justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and Khamenei's eldest son Mostafa Khamenei were present, with some senior figures weeping over the coffin. However, Mojtaba Khamenei was absent, and reports indicate he was wounded in the February 28 strikes and has only communicated through written statements.

Khamenei is only the second ruler buried in Mashhad; the first was Nader Shah, who was assassinated in 1747 after nearly 11 years in power.