World leaders are anticipated to participate in a multi-day funeral procession honoring Iran’s deceased Ayatollah Khamenei, who passed away at 86 during the onset of the US-Israel conflict in Tehran.
Over 100 nations’ leaders are set to attend the initial ceremony today before the body is transported to various locations in Iran and Iraq for public viewing. The coffin, along with other family members who perished in the war, is currently on display in preparation for the upcoming ceremony.
Millions of supporters are expected to gather in five cities spanning Iran and Iraq to pay tribute to the late leader, who ruled Iran with a firm hand for almost forty years. Concerns of overcrowding and potential stampedes loom as observed in past state mourning events in the region.
Among the prominent figures expected at the funeral are Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who played a role in brokering the existing ceasefire. Additionally, leaders from Tajikistan, Armenia, and Georgia are slated to attend, along with representatives from Russia, Afghanistan, India, and Bangladesh.
The attendance of Khamenei’s son, the new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, remains uncertain as he recuperates from severe injuries sustained in the same strike that claimed his father’s life. Despite Iran’s warnings to vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the ceasefire seems to be holding.
The funeral itinerary includes stops at various cities including Tehran, Qom, and Karbala in Iraq, culminating in Khamenei’s burial in Mashhad. The Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, known for attracting millions of pilgrims annually, will serve as Khamenei’s final resting place, along with many other notable Shiite clerics.
