Houthi Official Alleges US-Israel Role in Khamenei's Death
Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a Houthi official and member of Ansarullah's Political Bureau, stated that the United States and Israel assassinated former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei because of his steadfast support for the Palestinian cause and his widespread influence in the Muslim world. The remarks were made during an interview with Iran's state-run IRNA news agency on Sunday, as al-Bukhaiti attended funeral and memorial ceremonies for the late leader in Tehran.
Khamenei Described as Symbol of Resistance
Al-Bukhaiti emphasized that Ayatollah Khamenei's stature extended beyond Iran's geographical and political borders, calling him "a symbol of resistance and the struggle for freedom for many nations seeking independence, dignity, and liberation from American and Israeli domination." He added that Khamenei "will always remain a source of inspiration for people around the world." According to IRNA, the Houthi official further claimed that the late leader's "political and ideological school of thought throughout the Muslim world, together with his efforts to support the liberation of Palestine, were among the main factors that prompted the United States and Israel to assassinate him."
Massive Funeral Procession in Tehran
Iran's state broadcaster Press TV reported that the funeral procession for Ayatollah Khamenei began on Monday morning in Tehran, with organizers expecting it to last between 10 and 12 hours. The procession started at 6 am local time from Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex, where Khamenei's body had lain in state for the past two days. Press TV described the event as "the largest public gathering in the country's modern history," winding along a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) route through major streets and squares, including Damavand Street, Imam Hussein Square, Enqelab Street, Enqelab Square, Azadi Street, Azadi Square, and Shahid Lashgari Highway near Mehrabad airport.
Funeral Prayers and Burial Schedule
On Sunday, Grand Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani led funeral prayers for the martyred leader, along with his son-in-law Dr. Mesbah-ul-Hoda Bagheri-Kani, his daughter Zahra Haddad-Adel, his 14-month-old granddaughter Zahra Mohammadi-Golpayegani, and Seyyedeh Bushra Hosseini-Khamenei. Press TV reported that funeral ceremonies will continue in the holy city of Qom on Tuesday, followed by processions at the shrines of Imam Ali (AS) in Najaf and Imam Hussein (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (AS) in Karbala on Wednesday. The burial is scheduled for Thursday, July 9, at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in Mashhad, in accordance with Khamenei's will.
International Delegations and Succession
According to Press TV, delegations from scores of countries, including heads of state, prime ministers, and senior officials from Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Tajikistan, Turkey, and several other nations, arrived in Tehran to pay their respects on Friday. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28 this year, triggering heightened tensions across West Asia. Millions of mourners gathered in Tehran for the funeral ceremonies, where Iranian political and military leaders pledged to continue his legacy and vowed accountability for those responsible for his death. Following Khamenei's death, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. According to Al Jazeera, he is expected to skip the six-day funeral ceremonies due to security concerns amid continued Israeli threats.
