Iran begins public mourning for Ayatollah killed in February
Iran has begun several days of public mourning and funeral processions for its former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, more than four months after he was killed in strikes launched by the US and Israel.
The former Ayatollah's body will lie in state in Tehran's Grand Mosalla from Friday, ahead of his burial in his hometown of Mashhad next Thursday.
Officials have said the funeral could draw up to 20 million mourners from across Iran, according to AFP.
It comes as Iran and the United States observe a fragile ceasefire after signing a preliminary deal to halt their conflict in June.
Khamenei's body will lie in the Grand Mosalla for three days, alongside the remains of family members who were also killed in the US and Israeli strikes in February.
There will be an official funeral ceremony in Tehran on Saturday.
Authorities have ordered public and private offices in Tehran to close from Saturday through Monday, while traffic restrictions will shut down most of the city centre to private vehicles, AFP reported. The airspace over Tehran will be partially closed from Friday and fully closed on Monday.
Following the ceremonies in Tehran, the former supreme leader's body will be taken to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, prior to his burial in Mashhad.
Representatives from multiple countries are expected to attend the ceremonies, including Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Khamenei was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba, who has not been seen in public since becoming supreme leader.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Iran has initiated multi-day public mourning for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, more than four months after his death in February during strikes by US and Israeli forces. His body will be displayed at Tehran's Grand Mosalla beginning Friday, with an official funeral ceremony on Saturday. The funeral will conclude with his burial in Mashhad next Thursday, following visits to the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala. Iranian authorities have implemented significant logistical measures, including closing government and private offices in Tehran from Saturday through Monday, restricting vehicle access to the city centre, and partially closing Tehran's airspace. Officials have indicated the ceremonies could attract up to 20 million mourners. International representatives, including Pakistan's Prime Minister, are expected to attend. These events occur amid a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States, formalized through a preliminary agreement in June. Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, succeeded him as Supreme Leader but has not appeared publicly since assuming the role.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Iran has begun several days of public mourning and funeral processions for its former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, more than four months after he was killed in strikes launched by the US and Israel.
The former Ayatollah's body will lie in state in Tehran's Grand Mosalla from Friday, ahead of his burial in his hometown of Mashhad next Thursday.
Officials have said the funeral could draw up to 20 million mourners from across Iran, according to AFP.
It comes as Iran and the United States observe a fragile ceasefire after signing a preliminary deal to halt their conflict in June.
Khamenei's body will lie in the Grand Mosalla for three days, alongside the remains of family members who were also killed in the US and Israeli strikes in February.
There will be an official funeral ceremony in Tehran on Saturday.
Authorities have ordered public and private offices in Tehran to close from Saturday through Monday, while traffic restrictions will shut down most of the city centre to private vehicles, AFP reported. The airspace over Tehran will be partially closed from Friday and fully closed on Monday.
Following the ceremonies in Tehran, the former supreme leader's body will be taken to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, prior to his burial in Mashhad.
Representatives from multiple countries are expected to attend the ceremonies, including Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Khamenei was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba, who has not been seen in public since becoming supreme leader.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in February 2024 in strikes launched by the US and Israel Iran has begun public mourning for Khamenei more than four months after his death Khamenei's body will lie in state in Tehran's Grand Mosalla from Friday for three days Family members killed in the same February strikes will also be displayed alongside Khamenei An official funeral ceremony will be held in Tehran on Saturday Khamenei's burial will take place in Mashhad next Thursday Iranian authorities expect the funeral could draw up to 20 million mourners Public and private offices in Tehran will close from Saturday through Monday Tehran's airspace will be partially closed from Friday and fully closed on Monday The body will be taken to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before burial Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to attend the ceremonies Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father as Supreme Leader Mojtaba has not been seen in public since becoming supreme leader The mourning occurs during a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States
Read the full story at BBC ↗
- Iran has begun public mourning for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in February 2024 during US and Israeli strikes
- His body will lie in state in Tehran's Grand Mosalla from Friday before burial in Mashhad next Thursday
- Iranian authorities expect up to 20 million mourners and have closed Tehran's airspace and city centre to manage crowds
- The ceremonies follow a preliminary US-Iran ceasefire agreement signed in June
- Khamenei was succeeded by his son Mojtaba, who has remained out of public view