Iran: Funeral procession scheduled in several cities January 5-7 /update 1

Event

Funeral processions for Qasem Soleimani are scheduled from Sunday, January 5, through Tuesday, January 7. A funeral will be held on Sunday in Mashhad at the Imam Reza shrine. On Monday, Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei will read funeral prayers for Soleimani in Tehran, likely before a very large group of mourners. Finally, on Tuesday, January 7, Soleimani will be laid to rest in his hometown of Kerman.

Large gatherings, heightened security measures, and transportation disruptions are to be expected in the vicinity of all related processions and events. Other public and commemorative events may be held in the capital Tehran and other major urban areas throughout the country in the coming days.

Context

Soleimani was killed along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), and six other individuals while traveling near BGW. According to the US Department of Defense, Soleimani was “actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.”

Advice

Individuals in Iran are advised to monitor developments to the situation, respect local customs, refrain from discussing political topics in public or on social media, anticipate heightened security measures, and transportation disruptions near associated events, and avoid all public gatherings as a precaution.