Iran Begins Funeral Week for Supreme Leader Khamenei

Iran began a week of funeral ceremonies on Monday, March 18, 2024, for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike that occurred in February 2024. The ceremonies are set to include various events and observances leading up to the final burial. Top Iranian officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, are expected to lead the proceedings and deliver eulogies. The government has declared a period of national mourning. Foreign dignitaries from several allied nations have been invited to attend the funeral rites and pay their respects, signaling Iran's diplomatic outreach during this period of national grief. The specific details of the strike that led to Khamenei's death have not been fully disclosed by Iranian authorities, though the official narrative points to a coordinated operation by the United States and Israel. The event marks a significant moment in Iranian political history, with the succession of the Supreme Leader now a paramount concern for the nation's leadership. The upcoming days will be closely watched for any indications of the political maneuvering and potential shifts in domestic and foreign policy that may follow this pivotal event.