Slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s state funeral begins
Millions of mourners flooded streets across Tehran on Monday morning as state funeral proceedings commenced for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Government officials estimate the procession will last roughly 12 hours, marking one of Iran's largest public gatherings in modern history. Mourners lined a 10-kilometre route starting from Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex, where his remains lay in state over the weekend, before winding through prominent avenues toward Mehrabad airport.
Khamenei’s targeted assassination during US-Israeli airstrikes in February triggered intense geopolitical warfare across West Asia, drastically reshaping the established leadership structures of the Islamic Republic. Now, surviving political and military leaders are using this expansive multi-day ceremony to project national strength, unify their citizens, and vow strict accountability for his death.
Global Delegations Pay Respects
Dozens of international representatives arrived in Iran to honor the slain leader. Indian officials, including Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain, attended the proceedings to convey solidarity. Iranian diplomats in New Delhi expressed deep gratitude to India for this diplomatic gesture, highlighting strong historical and cultural ties between both nations. Prominent Indian political figures like Salman Khurshid and Mehbooba Mufti also conveyed their condolences.
Religious ceremonies will extend beyond Tehran over the coming days. Mourners will gather in the holy city of Qom on Tuesday, while Wednesday features processions at revered shrines in Najaf and Karbala, Iraq. Final burial rites will occur on Thursday at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.
Current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father following the fatal February strikes, remains conspicuously missing from the ongoing public ceremonies. Security experts suggest continued Israeli threats forced his sudden withdrawal, prompting serious international concerns regarding internal leadership stability during this volatile transition period.
With Inputs from Agency Threads and Image Courtesy: ANI
