The remains of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei were transported to Grand Mosalla in the capital on Friday as the nation prepares for a final farewell following his death in US-Israeli air strikes.
The assassination of the 86-year-old leader, a central figure for Shias globally, sparked a broader conflict in Middle East that is currently paused under a tenuous ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington, reports AFP.
Saturday’s official state funeral is projected to be the most significant in the history of the Islamic Republic, with officials estimating an attendance of between 15 and 20 million mourners.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament and lead negotiator, has urged a massive public presence to “write a glorious page” in the country’s history and ensure the “nation’s call for vengeance” is heard globally.
Footage from Grand Mosalla showed the leader’s casket, draped in the national tricolour, being moved into the venue. At a preliminary service, the coffin was positioned amidst a display of red flowers and white butterflies.
The site, one of the most prominent for state ceremonies, has been decorated with large banners featuring the late leader’s images and notable quotations.
Khamenei’s body will lie in state for a three-day period. Notably, Ahmad Vahidi, the commander of Revolutionary Guards, made his first public appearance since the outbreak of hostilities in February to pay respect.
However, it remains uncertain whether the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son, will attend Tehran ceremony, as he has not appeared in public since his succession.
Delegates from approximately 30 nations are expected to arrive for the proceedings. Among the high-profile attendees is Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country acted as a mediator during recent negotiations.
Other confirmed delegations include representatives from Bangladesh, China, Afghanistan, and various neighbouring states from Caucasus region.
Tehran has been placed under tight security, with guards conducting vehicle searches and managing crowds near Mosalla. To facilitate the events, authorities have declared public holidays in Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad.
In the capital, all offices will be shut from Saturday until Monday, and private vehicle access to the city centre has been restricted. Tehran’s airspace, which was partially restricted on Friday, will be entirely closed on Monday.
The funeral proceedings will extend beyond the capital, with the leader’s body scheduled to be taken to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. The final interment is set for 9 July at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, the city of Khamenei’s birth.
The bodies of relatives who died alongside the supreme leader will also be present during the commemorations.
