Thousands of people gathered in Tehran on Monday to attend the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Dressed in black, mourners filled the streets, carrying Iranian flags and portraits of the late leader as they paid their final respects.
Khamenei was killed in a February airstrike during the conflict involving Israel and the United States. His funeral has become one of the largest public gatherings in Iran in recent years, with people chanting slogans and offering prayers as the procession moved through the capital.
The coffin carrying Khamenei, along with those of several family members who were also killed in the attack, was taken through the streets on a decorated vehicle. Many mourners threw flowers and waved flags as the procession passed.
One notable absence at the funeral was Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son and widely seen as his successor. While three of Khamenei’s other sons attended the ceremony, Mojtaba did not appear in public. His absence has sparked fresh speculation, although Iranian officials have said he has remained out of public view after being injured in the February attack.
Senior government leaders, military commanders and religious figures joined the funeral prayers, with tight security in place across Tehran. Authorities expect the ceremonies to continue for several days before Khamenei is laid to rest.
The funeral comes at a crucial time for Iran as the country prepares for a leadership transition following months of conflict and political uncertainty. Many people see the ceremony as not only a farewell to the country’s longest-serving leader but also the beginning of a new chapter for Iran.
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