The remains of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei are being prepared for burial in the city of Qom, according to recent diplomatic reports.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that "The Times," citing diplomatic sources, has released new details regarding the final resting place of the Iranian leader. Intelligence agencies have reportedly identified signs of the commencement of construction on a massive mausoleum in Qom, designed to accommodate the burial of multiple high-ranking individuals.
While Iranian state news agencies previously indicated that Khamenei, who passed away at the age of 86, would be interred in his birthplace of Mashhad—a major pilgrimage center in the country's northeast—the new findings suggest a shift toward Qom. Although an official date has not yet been announced, a mass farewell ceremony is planned in the capital, Tehran. Wednesday, April 8, will mark 40 days since Khamenei's death, signifying the traditional conclusion of the mourning period in Islamic culture.
Located approximately 130 km south of Tehran, Qom is considered a holy city for Shias and serves as the religious capital of Iran. Previously, Iranian officials attributed the delay in the burial ceremony to the expected high number of participants. However, the delay has raised questions among observers, as religious traditions typically require the deceased to be buried as soon as possible. The choice of Qom underscores the city's strategic and spiritual importance to the clerical establishment in Iran.
