Iran began a somber, dayslong state funeral on Saturday for its late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who was killed at the age of 86 during an airstrike that marked the onset of the recent conflict.

The Grand Mosalla in Tehran became the focal point of national mourning as thousands of citizens converged to pay their final respects to the leader, whose casket was displayed in a glass case, adorned with his black turban—a symbol of his claimed lineage from the Prophet Muhammad.

The atmosphere at the Grand Mosalla was one of intense grief, with mourners seen weeping, beating their chests in traditional Shiite rituals, and chanting slogans demanding revenge.

Banners and billboards featuring Khamenei’s portrait lined the streets of the capital while the funeral stage itself was meticulously designed to replicate the venue where the late leader once delivered his speeches at his Tehran compound, which was destroyed in the Israeli airstrike on February 28.

The casket was positioned above those of several family members who also perished in the same attack.

"I came to say goodbye to my beloved leader," said 27-year-old Hananeh Mousavi, who attended the ceremony alongside her mother.

She remarked that she never imagined she would live to witness such a tragic day.

Among the crowds was Ali Kazemi, who traveled from the northwestern city of Tabriz to participate in the procession, noting that he came to demonstrate his unwavering support for his country and his faith.

Iranian authorities have implemented extensive logistical support for the immense crowds, distributing cold drinks and misting water on mourners to mitigate the effects of the intense summer heat.

Officials expect millions to participate in the processions, drawing parallels to the historic 1989 funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

The timing of the funeral, which commenced on July 4—coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States—was marked by anti-American chants from the crowd, despite an absence of official comment from Tehran regarding the coincidence.

Concurrently, in the United States, President Donald Trump addressed a crowd at Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, suggesting that Iran was seeking a settlement to the conflict and commenting that the US had granted the nation "a week off for a funeral."

Some attendees at the Tehran ceremony were seen holding banners directed at President Trump.

The funeral procession is set to travel through several Iranian cities as well as neighboring Iraq.

In preparation for these events, authorities have moved to restrict airspace, close major roads, and disrupt normal daily activities across Tehran.

The government views the massive turnout as a strategic signal to the international community, potentially strengthening its negotiating position as it seeks a permanent end to the conflict with the United States amidst persistently high tensions with Israel.

Significant uncertainty remains regarding the public visibility of Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during the mourning period, especially as his own wife was among those killed in the February strike.

On Thursday, Iran’s joint military command issued a stark warning to both Israel and the United States, cautioning against any actions that could escalate tensions during the funeral, specifically in response to reported Israeli threats directed at the new leader.

Source: AP