Preparations are in full swing in Iran’s capital ahead of the state funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s late supreme leader, whose massive portraits now dominate Tehran’s Grand Mosalla as workers complete final arrangements for the ceremony.
Khamenei, who was killed during joint US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28 at the start of the Middle East conflict, will be laid to rest following a funeral that had been postponed due to the war.
The ceremony is set to take place against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States after both countries signed a preliminary agreement aimed at ending hostilities.
The late supreme leader, regarded by many Shia Muslims as a revered religious figure, died at the age of 86 after an airstrike targeted his residence in central Tehran.
His public funeral will commence on Saturday at the Grand Mosalla, a sprawling religious complex that regularly hosts Friday prayers, major national ceremonies and large Islamic gatherings.
The remains of several members of his family who were also killed during the conflict will be displayed alongside his body.
Iranian authorities estimate that between 15 million and 20 million people could attend the funeral, potentially making it the largest state funeral ever held in the country’s history.
In preparation for the event, workers have been repainting sections of the complex while security personnel have been deployed throughout the area to maintain order.
State television has broadcast images showing construction crews installing metal structures, operating cranes and making final adjustments around the venue.
With exceptionally large crowds anticipated, authorities have urged mourners to rely on public transportation instead of private vehicles and have issued health advisories encouraging attendees to stay hydrated due to expected high temperatures during the funeral period.
An AFP correspondent observed that several lanes along major highways in Tehran had already been closed, worsening traffic congestion in the capital.
Iranian state television has also dedicated extensive airtime to documentaries highlighting Khamenei’s leadership, political career and religious influence.
In addition to the public funeral, a separate ceremony for foreign dignitaries and heads of state has been scheduled for Friday.
Ali-Akbar Pourjamshidian, secretary of the funeral ceremony headquarters, said representatives from approximately 30 countries are expected to attend, while thousands of mourners are also anticipated from neighbouring nations, including Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
To facilitate the ceremonies, authorities have declared public holidays in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad, the cities where different stages of the funeral and burial rites will take place.
Government offices and many private businesses in Tehran will remain closed from Saturday through Monday, while strict traffic restrictions will limit vehicle movement across much of the city centre.
Across the capital, banners and posters promoting the funeral have appeared on streets and public buildings, carrying messages about Iran’s future and bearing the official slogan, “We Must Rise.”
The funeral comes six months after nationwide demonstrations initially triggered by rising living costs before expanding into broader anti-government protests.
Following the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei’s remains will be transported to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before his final burial on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, the city where he was born.
It remains unclear whether his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, will make a public appearance during the main funeral events.
Addressing speculation, Pourjamshidian said the decision rested solely with the Office of the Leader.
“The issue of the Supreme Leader’s attendance is not within my authority or knowledge,” he said.
“If there is any programme, it will certainly be announced by the Office of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.”
