TEHRAN: Thousands of mourners gathered at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla on Saturday as Iran’s nationwide mourning ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, continued.
According to Iranian media, the bodies of the late leader’s daughter, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and granddaughter were also placed before mourners during the condolence gathering.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s body was transferred to Imam Khomeini Mosalla, a major religious and cultural complex in southern Tehran, where emotional scenes unfolded as people paid their final respects.
Tributes have continued to pour in from leaders around the world. Delegations from Russia and China also visited to offer condolences. Officials said the funeral procession will travel through several cities in Iran and Iraq, with more than 20 million people expected to participate.
The central funeral prayer is scheduled for the morning of July 5, while the burial is planned for July 9 in Mashhad. Iran has declared July 6 a nationwide public holiday to mark the mourning period.
Security has been significantly tightened, with around 150,000 police personnel deployed. Tehran’s airspace will be closed on July 6, while Mashhad’s airspace will be shut on July 9 during the burial ceremonies.
Memorial events are also being held in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad, Kadhimiya, Karbala, and Najaf. Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Field Marshal, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Murad Ali Shah, and other officials also attended a condolence gathering in honor of the late Iranian leader.
