Millions of mourners are expected to gather in Tehran as Iran begins funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the reported account, his body was placed in state on Friday at the Grand Mosalla. The ceremonies will continue for a week before his planned burial in Mashhad. Iranian authorities expect one of the largest public funerals in the country’s modern history.
Funeral Ceremonies Draw Large Crowds
According to reports, mourners carried Khamenei’s coffin, draped in Iran’s national flag, into the Grand Mosalla. Images also showed crowds dressed in black attending the pre-funeral ceremony. Meanwhile, the venue was decorated with banners displaying his photographs and quotations.
The report said Ahmad Vahidi, head of the Revolutionary Guards, attended the ceremony and paid his respects. Furthermore, the coffin will remain in state for three days before the main public funeral begins.
According to the report, Mojtaba Khamenei will not attend the funeral because of security concerns. However, officials have not released further details regarding those arrangements.
Processions to Continue Across Holy Cities
The reported funeral route will begin in Tehran before continuing to the holy cities of Qom, Najaf, and Karbala. Afterwards, the procession will conclude in Mashhad, where Khamenei is expected to be buried on July 9.
The report also said the ceremonies follow a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States. It further claimed the funeral was delayed because of the recent conflict. Additionally, the report stated several senior Iranian military figures were killed during the fighting.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said a large public turnout would demonstrate national unity. He also described the funeral as a response to terrorism, violence, and external pressure, according to the report.
