Ali Khamenei, was killed in Israeli and US strikes on Iran in February. (File photo)The funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will begin in Tehran on July 4 and conclude with his burial in his hometown of Mashhad, the holy city in northeastern Iran, on July 9, according to Iranian state media.The funeral, initially scheduled for March but postponed as the war continued, will follow three days of funeral ceremonies in Tehran from July 4 and another in the holy city of Qom on July 7.Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, was 86 and had led the Islamic Republic for 36 years.Burial delayedUnder the Islamic tradition, the deceased are generally buried as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of death. Religious authorities, however, allow exceptions in extraordinary circumstances, including during periods of war.A dominant figure in Iran’s modern historyKhamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as Supreme Leader in 1989 and became the Islamic Republic’s most powerful political and religious figure. During his tenure, he oversaw the expansion of Iran’s military and security apparatus and deepened Tehran’s influence across West Asia through allied groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.A staunch critic of the United States, Khamenei shaped Iran’s regional strategy for more than three decades while presiding over a political system that faced repeated domestic unrest and international disputes over its nuclear programme.Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, succeeded him as Supreme Leader in early March. Story continues below this adTrump says peace deal likelyMeanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said that the first stage of a peace deal with Iran will be signed on Sunday, after more than 100 days of war that triggered a global energy crisis.Tehran, however, has disputed the timeline, saying the agreement could be finalised in the “coming days.” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei cautioned against specifying a signing date.Iran agrees to forego nukesIran has agreed not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons under a draft memorandum of understanding with the United States (US), news agency Reuters reported Sunday, citing a senior Iranian official.The draft memorandum covers Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides set to discuss a final agreement during the 60 days following approval of the framework, the official told Reuters. Tehran or Washington haven’t officially reacted to this report so far.The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:Ayatollah Ali Khamenei