Funeral Prayers Held at Grand Mosalla Complex
Funeral prayers for Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and four family members were offered in Tehran on Sunday.
The ceremony was held at the Grand Mosalla complex in the Iranian capital. It marked the second day of funeral events.
Large crowds gathered to pay their final respects. Streets around the religious complex were filled with mourners carrying Iranian flags and portraits of Khamenei.
Khamenei led Iran from 1989 until his death at the age of 86. According to the report, he was killed in an airstrike on February 28, during the opening day of the US-Israeli war with Iran.
The funeral prayer was led by senior cleric Jafar Sobhani. The 97-year-old scholar is a prominent religious figure and teaches in Qom.
Khamenei’s coffin was draped in the Iranian flag. His black turban was placed on top of it.
The coffins of four relatives were also placed nearby. They were also reported killed in the February strikes. The victims included an infant granddaughter.
Mojtaba Khamenei Absent From Ceremony
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son and reported successor of Ali Khamenei, was absent from the funeral prayers.
He has not appeared publicly since being named supreme leader. Reports say he was wounded in the February 28 attack.
His absence drew attention during the high-profile ceremony.
However, Khamenei’s other three sons were present. Masoud, Mostafa, and Meysam attended the funeral prayers in Tehran.
President Masoud Pezeshkian also attended the ceremony. Senior officials were present, including parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
State television showed several top Iranian officials at the event.
Sunday was declared a public holiday across Iran. Authorities said more than 10 million people were expected to participate in funeral ceremonies in Tehran.
The body is expected to be moved from the Grand Mosalla complex for processions through the capital on Monday.
Security Tightened as Iran Prepares Processions
The funeral is being closely watched inside and outside Iran.
The country is still dealing with the political and security impact of recent conflict.
After five weeks of hostilities, the war is currently paused under a ceasefire and an initial accord with the United States. However, both Washington and Tehran have warned that fighting could resume if tensions rise again.
The funeral is also being viewed as a major test of public support for the Iranian government.
President Pezeshkian said the large turnout showed Khamenei’s position among the Iranian people and supporters abroad.
Delegations from several allied groups also attended the funeral events. State media reported meetings between Iranian officials and representatives of groups including Hamas and Hezbollah. Representatives linked to Yemen’s Houthis and Palestinian Islamic Jihad were also reported present.
After Monday’s procession in Tehran, Khamenei’s coffin is expected to be taken to Qom on Tuesday. It will then be moved to Iraq on Wednesday before burial on Thursday in Mashhad, his northeastern hometown.
Authorities have imposed strict security measures in Tehran.
Official media has also warned mourners about the risk of crowd crushes. Organisers are taking steps to manage the extreme heat, with temperatures expected to rise close to 40°C in the coming days.
Water mists and refreshments are being used to help mourners cope with the heat during the funeral gatherings.
