Iranian fighter jets reportedly escorted the aircraft carrying the coffin of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as it traveled to Mashhad for his final burial, marking the conclusion of days of funeral ceremonies across Iran and Iraq. The aerial escort was presented as a symbolic tribute and a display of military honor during one of the country’s most significant state funerals.
The aircraft departed following funeral processions in the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, where thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects. Religious ceremonies were held at the shrines of Imam Ali and Imam Hussain before the coffin was flown back to Iran for burial in Mashhad, Khamenei’s hometown.
The arrival of the coffin in Mashhad drew large crowds, with mourners lining roads leading to the city as security forces maintained tight control around the airport and key religious sites. Military personnel, senior government officials, and religious leaders attended the ceremonies, while the fighter jet escort underscored the state’s effort to honor the late leader with full military protocol.
Mashhad, home to the revered Imam Reza Shrine, was chosen as Khamenei’s final resting place because it is his birthplace and one of the holiest cities in Shia Islam. Authorities implemented extensive security measures to accommodate the influx of pilgrims and dignitaries arriving for the burial.
The funeral ceremonies have taken place against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions and ongoing conflict involving Iran. The military escort and large public gatherings highlighted both the symbolic and political significance of the final journey, drawing widespread attention from across the Middle East and the international community.
