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Iran prepares for dayslong funeral for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in war
By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 3, 2026
· 4 min read
Iran prepared Friday for the dayslong funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with banners across Tehran urging the public to rise up in support of the Islamic Republic after the devastating war that killed the 86-year-old cleric. The country's theocracy plans to see millions f...
Key takeaway The country's theocracy plans to see millions flood the streets of the capital beginning Saturday in scenes reminiscent to the burial of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's sizable Iranian-American community is likely to be watching the developments in Tehran closely, particularly as Gen. Ahmad Vahidi emerges from hiding to pay respects to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The city's own cultural and religious institutions may also be affected by the dayslong funeral proceedings, as local Shiite communities observe the traditional mourning practices. The presence of the red flag with "Ya Hussein" calligraphy, symbolizing both martyrdom and a call for vengeance, may resonate with San Antonio's own Iranian residents who have family ties to the region. As the funeral procession travels to cities in Iran and Iraq, San Antonio's community leaders may be called upon to provide support and guidance to local residents who may be affected by the events unfolding in the Middle East. The city's own experiences with public mourning and commemoration may also inform how local Iranian-Americans choose to observe this significant event.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Iran prepared Friday for the dayslong funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with banners across Tehran urging the public to rise up in support of the Islamic Republic after the devastating war that killed the 86-year-old cleric. The country's theocracy plans to see millions f...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jon Gambrell, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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