Iran has commenced several days of public mourning and funeral processions for its former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in strikes launched by the U.S. and Israel in February. His body will lie in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla starting Friday, preceding his burial next Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad.
Officials anticipate the funeral could attract up to 20 million mourners from across Iran. The events occur amid a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States, following a preliminary agreement to halt their conflict in June. Khamenei's body will be accompanied by the remains of family members who also died in the February strikes.
An official funeral ceremony is scheduled for Saturday in Tehran. Authorities have mandated the closure of public and private offices in the capital from Saturday through Monday, with traffic restrictions set to limit access to the city center. Airspace over Tehran will be partially closed from Friday and fully closed on Monday.
Following the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei's body will be transported to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before his final interment in Mashhad. Representatives from several nations, including Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, are expected to attend.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba, who has not been publicly visible since assuming the role of supreme leader.
