Iran is making final preparations for the state funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with authorities expecting one of the largest public gatherings in the country’s history.
Large portraits of the late supreme leader have been displayed across Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, where the main funeral ceremony will be held on Saturday. Workers have spent recent days completing preparations at the vast religious and ceremonial complex while security has been stepped up around the site.
The funeral had been postponed during the recent conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
It will now take place as a fragile ceasefire remains in place following a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the fighting.
Ayatollah Khamenei was killed on 28 February at the age of 86 during US-Israeli air strikes on his compound in central Tehran, according to Iranian authorities.
His body will lie in state at the Grand Mosalla before the public funeral, alongside the bodies of several relatives who were also killed.
Officials estimate that between 15 and 20 million people could attend the ceremonies, potentially making it the biggest state funeral ever held in Iran.
Preparations have continued around the clock, with construction crews installing temporary structures and carrying out maintenance work across the venue.
State television has broadcast images of cranes, welders and workers completing the final stages of the preparations.
With exceptionally large crowds anticipated and temperatures expected to be high, the authorities have urged mourners to travel by public transport and follow safety advice, including staying hydrated throughout the events.
Traffic restrictions have already begun in parts of Tehran, with several major roads partially closed as officials prepare for the influx of visitors.
Public and private offices in the capital will also close from Saturday until Monday, while access to much of the city centre will be restricted for private vehicles.
Alongside the public funeral, a separate ceremony for foreign dignitaries is scheduled for Friday.
Ali-Akbar Pourjamshidian, secretary of the funeral headquarters, said, "Representatives from around 30 countries are expected to attend.”
Visitors are also expected to travel from neighbouring Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, “Tehran had not issued formal invitations to European governments.”
He criticised several European countries over their stance during the recent conflict, accusing them of supporting the United States and Israel.
Despite the war, Iran has maintained close relations with Russia, one of its key international allies.
Following the ceremonies in Tehran, further memorial events will be held in the religious cities of Qom and Mashhad, both of which will observe public holidays during the mourning period.
Iranian officials said, “Ayatollah Khamenei’s body will later be taken to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before returning to Iran for burial on 9 July at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace.”
Across Tehran, banners and posters have appeared carrying messages promising a bright future and displaying the official slogan for the funeral ceremonies, ‘We Must Rise’.
Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over whether Khamenei’s son and designated successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, will attend the main ceremony.
Pourjamshidian said, "Any arrangements concerning the new supreme leader would be announced by the Office of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution if appropriate.”
