Iran Holds Massive Funeral Ceremonies for Slain Ayatollah Khamenei
Iranian authorities have begun multi-day funeral events for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in February during a regional conflict triggered by attacks from the United States and Israel. Up to 20 million mourners are expected in Tehran.
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Iran has launched extensive public mourning ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's former Supreme Leader, who was killed at age 86 on February 28 during attacks by the United States and Israel that sparked a wider regional conflict. According to Channels Television, Khamenei died at his compound in central Tehran when the two nations launched what the report described as the opening salvoes of war.
His body is lying in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla, marking the beginning of days-long funeral events, as reported by BBC World. The site is expected to draw massive crowds, with Iranian authorities anticipating between 15 and 20 million participants in Tehran alone over the next three days, according to Vanguard News. Khamenei led Iran for more than three decades, shaping its political and religious trajectory throughout his tenure.
Footage and reports from the mourning events, including those published by eNCA, show vast gatherings of mourners, many chanting calls for revenge amid heightened regional tensions. The death of Khamenei has not only prompted a national outpouring of grief but also raised concerns about political succession and the future direction of Iran's governance and foreign policy.