- The six-day funeral for former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei has begun, with large crowds gathering at the Grand Mosalla mosque in central Tehran.
- Authorities expect 15-20 million people to attend the ceremonies across Iran and Iraq over the coming days.
- Khamenei was assassinated by Israeli jet planes during joint strikes, which escalated into a wider regional conflict.
- The scale of the funeral is designed to relay political and religious messages of resistance to the world.
- Khamenei's body will lie in state at the Grand Mosalla for three days before being moved to Qom and then to Najaf in Iraq.
- The funeral is expected to be the largest in terms of attendees as a proportion of the country's population.
Large crowds gathered in Tehran as the six-day funeral for former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei began, with authorities estimating 15-20 million attendees. The ceremonies commenced at the Grand Mosalla mosque, where thousands of mourners had queued overnight to pay their respects.12
Khamenei, who was assassinated by Israeli jet planes during a joint strike with the US, is lying in state alongside family members also killed in the attack. The funeral is expected to be the largest in Iran's history, both in terms of attendance and its significance as a political statement.47
Officials are taking precautions to prevent overcrowding, urging mourners to limit their time at the mosque. The funeral will include a procession through Iraqi Shia cities at the request of Iraqi politicians, emphasizing the regional implications of Khamenei's death.
The ceremonies will culminate in Khamenei's burial at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, Iran's most important pilgrimage site, on Thursday. Commemorative events are planned for the following 40 days, extending the mourning period across the nation.
“Masses of supporters of the Islamic regime turned out,” reported sources, with many chanting slogans against the US and calling for revenge for Khamenei's killing. The funeral is not only a moment of mourning but also a display of solidarity and resistance against perceived external threats.
“The six-day funeral for former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei has commenced, attracting large crowds in Tehran. Authorities anticipate that 15-20 million people will participate in the ceremonies across Iran and Iraq.”
The Guardian
