Tehran/Mashhad — Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be laid to rest in his hometown of Mashhad, near the Holy Shrine of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Raza (peace be upon him), one of the most sacred and spiritually significant sites in the Muslim world, according to a report by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated Fars News Agency.

Fars News reported that officials coordinating the funeral arrangements are planning to hold a large public memorial ceremony in Tehran before the burial takes place in northeastern Iran. The date and timing of the funeral prayers and memorial gathering have not yet been officially announced.

Mashhad is home to the shrine of Imam Ali al-Raza (AS), the eighth descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The shrine holds deep reverence not only for Shia Muslims but for Muslims across the world who regard the Ahl al-Bayt (the family of the Prophet) with profound respect and spiritual devotion. The golden-domed complex is among the most visited religious sites globally, drawing millions of pilgrims each year.

Being buried in proximity to the shrine is widely viewed as a place of immense spiritual honor within Islamic tradition. The city of Mashhad has long been a center of religious scholarship, spirituality, and pilgrimage, symbolizing faith and unity for Muslims worldwide.

Security arrangements are expected to be tightened in both Tehran and Mashhad as authorities prepare for significant public participation in the memorial and funeral ceremonies.

Further details regarding the funeral prayers and burial schedule are expected to be announced by Iranian officials in the coming days.