By Hammad Kahlun
Scandinavian news Finland
Iran on Friday held funeral rites for the grandchild of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,Grandchild as the multi-day state funeral for the former leader continued in Tehran.
The child was among several family members killed during the US-Israeli strikes that killed Khamenei in February.
Background: February Strikes That Killed Khamenei and Family Members
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, was killed on February 28, 2026, when US and Israeli forces struck his residential compound in Tehran, marking the opening day of the war between Iran and the two countries.
Iranian state media, including the semi-official Fars News Agency, confirmed his death the following day.
The same strikes killed several of Khamenei’s relatives: his daughter, Boshra Khamenei; his son-in-law, Mesbah Bagheri Kani; his daughter-in-law, Zahra Haddad-Adel; and his 14-month-old grandchild, Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani. Khamenei’s wife later died from injuries sustained in the same attack.
Funeral Ceremonies Underway After Months of Delay
Khamenei’s state funeral began in Tehran on July 3, following repeated postponements caused by the ongoing war and logistical concerns over turnout.
Iranian authorities have said more than 20 million people are expected to take part in the Tehran processions alone.
The ceremonies are scheduled to run for roughly a week across Tehran, Qom and Mashhad in Iran, as well as Najaf and Karbala in neighboring Iraq, before Khamenei’s final burialat Mashhad’s Imam Reza shrine, with interment set for July 9
Grandchild’s Burial Held Alongside Mourning Events
Family members killed alongside Khamenei, including his young grandchild, are being laid to rest as part of the broader mourning period.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported delegations from more than 100 countries have traveled to Tehran for the ceremonies.
Attendees have included Russian special envoy and former president Dmitry Medvedev, Chinese lawmaker He Wei, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and representatives from India, Armenia, Tajikistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban government. No senior Western officials were invited, with Iran barring European leaders from attending.
Succession and Ongoing Tensions
Khamenei was succeeded as Supreme Leader by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was elected by Iran’s Assembly of Experts on March 8.
Mojtaba has not appeared in public since his appointment, fueling speculation about his health following reports he was wounded in the February strike.
Iran has warned the United States and Israel against further attacks during the funeral period, with its military cautioning ships against unauthorized use of Hormuz Strait routes.
Separately, both sides say some progress has been made in paused ceasefire negotiations, though talks remain stalled for the duration of the funeral.
US-Israeli strikes that killed Khamenei
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