Iranian analyst says Khamenei funeral will draw 20 million, seen as show of support

Iranian analyst says Khamenei funeral will draw 20 million, seen as show of support Iranian international relations researcher Mohsen Farkhani said more than 20 million people are expected to participate in the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, describing the turnout as a demonstration of support for the Islamic Republic. Speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic, Farkhani said the funeral would send a message to Washington and Tel Aviv that external pressure would not weaken Iran’s unity, adding that the legitimacy of the Iranian system is rooted in popular support. A woman holds a portrait of Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei during a public farewell ceremony at Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran, 4 July 2026 (Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters)