In brief
In the wake of the US‑Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, thousands gathered in black‑clad mourning outside Tehran’s Grand Mosalla on the funeral’s opening day. The body lies in state awaiting a six‑day procession that will travel through Iran and Iraq, with expectations of 15‑20 million attendees. Supporters chant anti‑US slogans, vowing vengeance for the killed leader. The ritual will culminate with burial at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, while Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei’s son and new Supreme Leader, remains largely absent from the public eye.
Large crowds of black‑clad mourners have gathered outside Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, the city’s main mosque, on the first day of funeral commemorations for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei’s body lies in state at the Mosalla ahead of his eventual burial in Mashhad, the city that houses Iran’s most revered pilgrimage site. Authorities expect 15‑20 million people to attend the ceremonies across Iran and Iraq over the coming days.
Supporters of the Islamic regime turned out on Saturday morning, chanting slogans against the U.S. and demanding revenge for the ayatollah’s death. One protester, 37‑year‑old professor Reza, told AFP: “We came because we promised the supreme leader we would stand by him to the very end.”
Another voice, 40‑year‑old Arash Rahimi, told Reuters that everyone is here to avenge the “blood of their supreme leader,” adding that the U.S. would never have “good” relations with them.
The killings were part of the joint Israeli and U.S. air strikes that killed Khamenei in late February. U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran’s government “was dying to settle” a peace deal after a preliminary agreement was struck.
The funeral procession is expected to be the largest in Iran’s history in terms of attendance relative to population. The body will lie in the Mosalla for three days, alongside remains of family members killed in the strikes, before a three‑day tour outside the capital.
On Tuesday it will move to Qom for funerals at Jamkaran Mosque, then travel to Najaf in Iraq and Karbala, visiting the shrine of Imam Ali. Thursday, Khamenei will be buried at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad. The 40‑day mourning period will continue with commemorative events, culminating in an anniversary of the burial.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader, has not been seen publicly since taking office, sparking speculation about his health or role in the ceremony. Whether he will attend remains a key point of intrigue for observers worldwide.
