Tehran Times

2026-07-04 21:20
Iran bids farewell to Martyr Ayatollah Khamenei

TEHRAN - Iran is in mourning as millions gather to bid farewell to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Martyr Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated on the first day of the joint US-Israeli aggression against the country on February 28.
- Global tribute to martyred Leader Ayatollah Khamenei
- The epitome of resistance against bullies and hegemons

By Soheila Zarfam

Foreign mourners at Leader's funeral: 'We lost our father'

TEHRAN — As millions of Iranians poured into the streets for the funeral of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, foreign dignitaries, journalists, and ordinary visitors from around the world joined the mourning, describing the late Leader as a father figure to the oppressed and a symbol of resistance against Western domination.
By Maedeh Zaman Fashami

What slogans do the mourning crowds chant?

TEHRAN- The funeral and farewell ceremony for the martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, is far more than a simple ritual of bidding farewell to a political or religious figure. It is a scene where grief, loyalty, and the redefinition of the bond between the social body and the leadership of the system unfold simultaneously.
By Garsha Vazirian

Foreign lenses capture the unbreakable resolve of a grieving nation

TEHRAN — The farewell ceremonies for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, forced an unexpected recalculation across the global press this July.
By Fardin Molaei

A River of Grief, An Ocean of Resolve: Tehran Bids Farewell to Its Martyred Leader

TEHRAN – "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." The words of Thomas Campbell echoed silently through the streets of Tehran on Saturday as millions began the first day of farewell ceremonies for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei. Yet no quotation alone could fully capture the atmosphere of a city where sorrow and pride walked side by side.
By Samaneh Aboutalebi

A city in mourning, a farewell in order

TEHRAN – Tehran's Mosalla opened its gates on Saturday for the first day of a two-day public farewell to the martyred Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was martyred alongside members of his family during the recent US-Israeli aggression against Iran. Ahead of Monday's funeral procession, hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects.

Politics

The epitome of resistance against bullies and hegemons

TEHRAN - Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was recognized as the embodiment of defiance against bullying nations and Western hegemony, particularly that led by the United States. Firm and unwavering in his stance, he never succumbed to pressure or intimidation. Ultimately, he lost his life standing up to bullies and challenging hegemons. He will be remembered as a distinguished political and religious leader, renowned for his extraordinary courage and bravery.
Commander’s prudence; deriving infinite power from the heart of limitations

These days, separation from our Leader and Commander, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was dearer to us than life itself, has been accompanied by profound sorrow and deep emotion. These emotions are noteworthy from several perspectives.
Legacy of martyred Khamenei's foreign policy vision

TEHRAN - At pivotal moments in history, nations are often defined by leaders who shape their country's future. From this perspective, the late martyr Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei sought to build the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the principles of national identity, independence, and the preservation of the nation's dignity. In this framework, diplomacy was viewed not merely as a tool for managing relations with other countries but as a means of safeguarding the honor and interests of the Iranian people.

Sports

Iran volleyball coach Totolo lauds performance in 2026 VNL Week2

TEHRAN – Iran men's volleyball team assistant coach Tomaso Totolo believes the team have made significant progress in the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL), insisting the only thing missing is more victories.
Iran handball team to participate in 2026 Asian Games

TEHRAN – Iranian men's handball has received a major boost ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, with the confirmation of the national team's participation in the Games.
Iran end Jordan's unbeaten run at FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian qualifier

TEHRAN - Iran led for more than 37 minutes and never allowed Jordan to mount a serious response after the opening exchanges, securing a comfortable 49-67 victory on Thursday, 2026, at Prince Hamza Arena in Amman.

Culture

A city in mourning, a farewell in order

TEHRAN – Tehran's Mosalla opened its gates on Saturday for the first day of a two-day public farewell to the martyred Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was martyred alongside members of his family during the recent US-Israeli aggression against Iran. Ahead of Monday's funeral procession, hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects.
New TV series commemorating Martyred Leader aired on IRIB

TEHRAN- A special series of television plays titled “Didar-e Mah” (“Meeting of the Moon”), based on the life and legacy of the Martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has been broadcast on IRIB Channel 1 throughout the funeral and farewell ceremonies of the late Leader.
New Tehran mural honors Martyred Leader amidst farewell ceremonies

TEHRAN- In convergence with the final farewell and funeral ceremonies for the Martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, a new mural was unveiled at the intersection of Jomhouri and Valiasr avenues on Thursday, featuring the image of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Economy

Reviewing economic thoughts of martyred Leader

TEHRAN- The head of the Smart Governance Think Tank, stating that in recent years, the issue of public participation in the economy and utilizing the capacity of small capitals to boost production has become one of the most important axes of the country's economic policy, said that the martyred Leader of the Revolution, on various occasions, while emphasizing the necessity of directing liquidity towards productive activities, always stressed the removal of investment barriers, facilitating the presence of the people in the economic arena, and creating effective mechanisms to utilize popular capacities.
Iran, Nicaragua emphasize development of cooperation in oil, energy sector

TEHRAN- In a meeting between the Oil Minister of Iran and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Nicaragua, the development of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the oil and energy sector was emphasized.
‘Caspian Sea, a new trade highway with the East’

TEHRAN- The Governor of Gilan, emphasizing the importance of redirecting the country's trade perspective towards the north, said that given the increasing exchanges with China and the shorter transportation routes through the Caspian Sea, the development of northern corridors can help reduce transportation costs and increase the country's economic productivity

Society

Cooperatives, a people-centered form of enterprise aiming social justice

TEHRAN - The International Day of Cooperatives is marked every year on July 4. The 2026 theme of the International Day of Cooperatives, “Cooperatives for a peaceful world”, affirms the contribution of cooperative enterprises to social justice, inclusion and solidarity.
Iran discusses developing environmental ties with UN, Pakistan, Maldives

TEHRAN – The head of the Department of Environment (DOE) in separate meetings with the United Nations, Maldivian, and Pakistani officials explored avenues to expand collaborations in the environment sector.
Iranian university inks MOUs with Italian, Cypriot universities

TEHRAN – Khwarizmi University has signed memorandums of understanding with Italy’s University of Trieste, and Eastern Mediterranean University of Cyprus, to boost scientific interactions and international cooperation.

Tourism

Intl. journalists visit damaged Golestan Palace in downtown Tehran

TEHRAN – On Friday, tens of international journalists, photographers, and television crews from various global media organizations visited Tehran's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Golestan Palace to observe sections of the historic complex damaged by a nearby missile strike and to document the ongoing restoration efforts.
Persepolis through the eyes of Iran’s martyred leader

TEHRAN – As Iran prepares to bid farewell to its martyred leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, one of the defining moments reflecting his vision of the country’s cultural identity has once again come into focus: his historic visit to the UNESCO-listed Persepolis in 1988, where he described the ancient site as a “valuable treasure” that must be safeguarded for future generations.
Researcher highlights Isfahan's enduring role in Ta’zieh heritage

TEHRAN - Iran's ritual dramatic art of Ta’zieh continues to thrive across the country, with central Isfahan province widely regarded as the nation's leading center for the centuries-old tradition, according to Iranian researcher and Ta’zieh scholar Esmaeil Mojallali.

International

The clenched fist and the geometric fusion of Resistance

TEHRAN — The bodies lay at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla on July 3; yet another spectacle was the people paying their respects.
Sedition in Lebanon, or a calculated agenda of betrayal?

TEHRAN - Throughout history, political turmoil and national betrayal have often been linked, and Lebanon today is no exception. It faces a dangerous moment where its own officials are making deals that serve Israeli interests.
The modern golem of Silicon Valley demands a ritual sacrifice of innocence

TEHRAN — The little boys and little girls of the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school had just settled into their morning lessons when the sky split open. It was February 28, the opening day of the American-Israeli campaign against Iran, and three Tomahawk cruise missiles, one by one, tore through the roof, collapsing concrete onto the children's desks.