Millions of Iranians are expected to gather in Tehran on Saturday as Iran begins a week-long funeral programme for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with authorities describing the ceremonies as one of the largest public events in the country’s history.
Officials estimate that between 15 and 20 million people could participate in the capital over the next three days as mourners pay tribute to Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for more than 35 years. He died at the age of 86 on February 28, the day hostilities broke out between Iran, the United States and Israel.
The funeral activities will run for six days, with thousands of supporters already assembling outside Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex ahead of the official opening on Saturday morning.
Many mourners said they wanted to honour the late leader despite long waiting hours and heavy security around the venue.
Authorities have tightened security across Tehran by restricting traffic and preparing to close the country’s airspace during the ceremonies. The funeral is expected to be the largest since the burial of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.
The late leader’s coffin will remain in Tehran until Monday before a funeral procession moves through the city. It will then travel to the religious city of Qom on Tuesday, continue through important Shia holy sites in Iraq on Wednesday, and finally return to Mashhad, Khamenei’s hometown in northeastern Iran, where he is scheduled to be buried on Thursday.
The ceremonies are also drawing attention because of expectations surrounding the public appearance of Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei. Although he was appointed supreme leader shortly after his father’s death, he has not appeared publicly and has communicated only through written messages. Reports suggest he was injured during the same attacks that killed his father.
Senior Iranian officials attended the opening tributes on Friday, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who appeared emotional during the event. Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Vahidi was also present after weeks out of public view.
Foreign dignitaries attending the funeral include Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, representing President Vladimir Putin. Delegations from Hamas, Hezbollah and Afghanistan’s Taliban administration were also present.
Although a temporary ceasefire has paused fighting between Iran and the United States after weeks of conflict, Iranian officials maintained that the country remains prepared to respond if hostilities resume.
Authorities have also introduced safety measures to prevent overcrowding and heat-related incidents, with temperatures expected to exceed 35 degrees Celsius. Water tankers have been deployed to cool major roads, while public broadcasters have aired safety advice for those attending the funeral.
