1
The body of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was laid to rest on Friday in a grand prayer hall in Tehran. Religious leaders, government officials, foreign dignitaries, and thousands of mourners gathered there to pay their final respects.
Surrounding the death of Khamenei, who was killed in US and Israeli airstrikes, Iran has organized week-long mourning ceremonies and public processions. His death, after nearly 37 years of ruling the country, is being seen as the conclusion of a significant political and religious chapter for the Islamic Republic of Iran.
According to a Reuters report, Khamenei’s body will be buried on Thursday next to the shrine of Imam Reza in the holy city of Mashhad, Khorasan province. Before that, his body will be taken to Qom, Iran’s religious center, and to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, where separate mourning ceremonies have been arranged.
On Thursday night, when Khamenei’s coffin was brought before the public for the first time, thousands of supporters broke down in tears. Many beat their chests in grief and threw flowers onto the coffin. On Friday, his coffin, along with the bodies of other family members killed in the attack, was placed in a grand prayer hall in Tehran built in memory of Imam Khomeini.
According to analysts, Khamenei’s funeral is being held at a time when Iran is facing new political realities while recovering from the shock of recent wars. The government has made special arrangements for transportation, food, and accommodation to ensure the participation of millions in these mourning ceremonies.
However, at the same time, issues such as the country’s economic crisis, international sanctions, and long-standing political instability are also being discussed. According to analysts, Iran’s internal divisions remain deep despite the government’s message of unity.
Leaders from various countries, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Iraq’s President, a high-level Chinese representative, and Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev, participated in Friday’s event. Additionally, family members of Lebanon’s Hezbollah’s former leader Hassan Nasrallah and top commander Imad Mugniyah were also present.
Iran’s President, Parliament Speaker, Foreign Minister, and top military officials also paid their respects before the coffin. The new head of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ahmad Bahidi, was also seen at the ceremony.
Security has been heightened in Tehran for the mourning ceremonies. Troops and police have been deployed on the city’s main roads, and Basij forces are patrolling on motorcycles. Iran has also warned the United States and Israel to refrain from any attacks during this time.
After a large procession in Tehran on Monday, the body will be taken to Qom. After mourning ceremonies there on Tuesday, religious rituals will be held in Najaf and Karbala, Iraq, on Wednesday. Finally, he will be buried with state honors on Thursday next to the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad.