As Iran began funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, authorities and state-linked institutions were allegedly pressuring workers, businesses and other groups to participate in large numbers.

A report by Iran International said the claims were drawn from several letters and messages it had received, describing what it called a coordinated effort involving workplace directives, business closures and logistical mobilisation ahead of the funeral and burial.

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A summons few dared to ignore

Among the allegations was a message from a Tehran resident who said the real estate union had told members they were not allowed to open their offices during the funeral days and were required to attend the ceremonies.

Another Tehran resident said Basij members had warned shopkeepers that businesses remaining open during the mourning period would be sealed.

In the resident’s words, “If we open during the funeral days, the shop will be sealed.”

Beyond the shopfront and into civic life

The pressure was not limited to private businesses. A message from Nahavand in Hamedan province said local officials had summoned charitable organisations and asked them to contribute to the funeral, warning that their work could be disrupted if they refused.

Another account said police and Basij members had gone to restaurants in an industrial town near Tehran and told owners to prepare thousands of free meals for mourners or face closure.

Allegedly, text messages had been circulated urging households to host visitors travelling to the capital for the ceremonies.

Ceremony on a rather grand scale

At the same time, official announcements pointed to a large state-backed logistical operation around the funeral.

The Basij Organization for Guilds said 50 million loaves of bread were being prepared nationwide with the involvement of bakers’ unions, while 16 mobile bakeries were to be deployed across Tehran and surrounding areas to avoid shortages.

Funeral processions began in Tehran on Saturday and were scheduled to continue through Qom, Najaf and Karbala before Khamenei’s burial in Mashhad on July 9.

Authorities have also announced heightened security measures, including temporary airspace restrictions over Tehran and Mashhad during the ceremonies.

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FAQs

Q1: Did Iran force people to attend Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral?

Ans: Iran International claimed some workers, businesses and civic groups faced pressure to participate, but the allegations have not been independently verified.

Q2: Why are the claims about Khamenei’s funeral significant?

Ans: The report raises questions about whether turnout at the funeral reflected voluntary public participation or state-directed mobilisation.