Iran is preparing for a major state funeral for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Large portraits of Khamenei were displayed at the Grand Mosalla on Tuesday as workers prepared the venue.
The funeral was earlier delayed due to the Middle East war. It will now take place as Iran and the United States maintain a fragile ceasefire. Both sides recently signed a preliminary deal to stop the conflict.
Khamenei was killed at the age of 86 during US-Israeli airstrikes. The strikes hit his compound in central Tehran on February 28, the first day of the war.
His public funeral will begin on Saturday. His body will lie in state at the Grand Mosalla in central Tehran. The site is often used for Friday prayers, official events, and religious gatherings.
The bodies of his slain relatives will also be presented during the ceremony. Officials expect between 15 and 20 million mourners to attend. If confirmed, it would be Iran’s largest state funeral.
Workers were seen painting the venue and building metal structures. Cranes were also lifting materials around the complex. A heavy police presence was visible near the site.
State television has urged mourners to use public transport. Authorities also issued safety messages due to expected heat. People have been advised to stay hydrated during the funeral period.
Some major highways in Tehran have already faced lane closures. This has added more pressure to the capital’s heavy traffic.
State media has also increased coverage of Khamenei’s life. Several documentaries have been aired in recent days.
A separate ceremony for foreign leaders is planned for Friday. Officials said representatives from around 30 countries may attend. Mourners are also expected from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad will observe public holidays during the funeral events. Public and private offices in Tehran will close from Saturday to Monday.
After the Tehran ceremony, the body of the late Supreme Leader will be taken to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq. He will later be buried on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad.
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It remains unclear whether Mojtaba Khamenei will attend the main ceremony. Officials said any programme involving the new Supreme Leader would be announced by his office.
