Daijiworld Media Network – Tehran
Tehran, Jul 4: Iran on Saturday began a multi-day state funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike at the start of the recent war with Israel. He was 86.
Authorities placed Khamenei's casket in a glass enclosure at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran, where thousands of mourners gathered to pay their last respects. Many were seen weeping, beating their chests in mourning and chanting slogans, including calls for revenge. Banners and flags were displayed across the venue, while billboards bearing Khamenei's image were erected throughout the capital.
"I am here to say goodbye to my beloved leader Ali Khamenei. I never expected to see such a day. I wish I had died before this tragedy," said 27-year-old mourner Hananeh Mousavi.
The funeral stage at the Grand Mosalla was designed to resemble the platform from which Khamenei frequently addressed the nation at his husseiniyah in central Tehran. That complex was reportedly destroyed in the Israeli airstrike that killed Khamenei and several members of his family on Feb 28.
The coffins of his deceased family members were placed beneath his casket, which was draped with his black turban, signifying his lineage as a descendant of Prophet Muhammad.
The Iranian government expects millions of people to participate in the funeral procession, drawing comparisons with the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. Organisers distributed drinking water and cold beverages to help mourners cope with the summer heat.
"We attended the funeral to show that we are all committed to defend our country and religion," said Ali Kazemi, who travelled from the northwestern city of Tabriz.
The large public turnout is expected to strengthen the government's position at a time when Tehran is engaged in negotiations with the United States over a permanent end to the conflict and amid continued tensions with Israel.
The funeral began on Jul 4, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Although Iranian authorities did not officially comment on the timing, mourners at the ceremony chanted anti-American slogans, including "Death to America."
At the same time, US President Donald Trump, speaking at an Independence Day event in South Dakota, referred to the recent conflict with Iran.
"We knocked the hell out of Iran. They want to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral," Trump said.
Several mourners at the funeral also displayed banners carrying anti-Trump slogans.
Following the ceremony in Tehran, Khamenei's body is scheduled to be taken to several cities in Iran and neighbouring Iraq as part of the funeral processions.
Authorities have imposed traffic restrictions, closed parts of the capital and suspended airspace operations to facilitate the state funeral.
It remains unclear whether Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, will make a public appearance during the funeral. His late wife was among those killed in the airstrike and whose coffin was displayed at the Grand Mosalla.
Earlier this week, Iran's joint military command warned Israel and the United States against any action during the mourning period, cautioning them to "avoid any miscalculation" in the coming days.