The body of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, arrived at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla on Friday ahead of his funeral, according to Iranian state media.
Khamenei, who was reported killed in US-Israeli strikes during the recent Middle East conflict, will lie in state at the Grand Mosalla for three days before his funeral ceremony on Saturday.
State television showed mourners carrying his coffin, draped in Iran’s national flag, into the ceremonial venue as crowds dressed in black gathered to pay their respects. The hall was decorated with flowers and banners bearing Khamenei’s images and quotations.
Iranian officials expect millions of people to attend the funeral, alongside delegations from about 30 countries. Pakistan said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would attend, while China, Afghanistan and several neighbouring countries are also expected to send representatives.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, urged citizens to attend the funeral in large numbers, describing it as a historic moment for the country.
Footage also showed Ahmad Vahidi, head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, paying his respects at Khamenei’s coffin in his first public appearance since the outbreak of the conflict.
Authorities have declared public holidays in Tehran and the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad during the funeral period. Public and private offices in Tehran will remain closed from Saturday through Monday, while traffic restrictions and partial airspace closures have also been announced.
After the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei’s body will be taken to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before being buried on July 9 at the Shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, his birthplace.
The bodies of Khamenei’s relatives who were also killed in the strikes will be present during the mourning ceremonies. It remains unclear whether his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, will attend the main funeral ceremony in Tehran.
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