Large crowds of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday as Iran continued funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei, with the capital’s Grand Mosalla complicated and surrounding streets filled with folks paying their ultimate respects.Prayers have been held over Khamenei’s casket on the second day of the state funeral, which has drawn what authorities say might ultimately be tens of millions of individuals throughout a number of days of ceremonies.The huge spiritual complicated was full of mourners wearing black, many carrying Iranian flags and portraits of the late chief, as they moved by means of tightly packed streets underneath heavy safety and sweltering summer time warmth.
Grand Mosalla overflowed as mourners collect in giant numbers
The Grand Mosalla complicated and close by roads have been overwhelmed with attendees on Sunday morning, information company AFP journalists on the bottom reported, as lengthy queues fashioned for entry into the prayer halls.Authorities organized refreshments and crowd-control measures as temperatures crossed 35°C, whereas mourners carried out funeral prayers for Khamenei and members of his household killed alongside him in an airstrike on February 28, which additionally marked the beginning of the US-Israeli battle with Iran.Khamenei’s coffin, draped within the Iranian flag and topped along with his black turban, was positioned alongside these of a number of family, together with his toddler granddaughter, throughout the ceremony.
Senior clerics and leaders lead funeral prayers
The prayers at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla complicated have been led by distinguished Shia cleric Ja’far Sobhani, a 97-year-old seminary scholar from Qom.Senior Iranian leaders, together with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, attended the ceremony, alongside different high officers, state tv footage confirmed.Khamenei’s sons Masoud, Mostafa and Meysam have been additionally current, whereas his successor Mojtaba Khamenei was notably absent, amid experiences he has remained out of public view following the February assault, AFP reported.
Emotional scenes, chants and political undertones
The massive turnout was accompanied by emotional scenes and powerful political messaging, with mourners chanting slogans as they gathered in and across the venue.Some individuals on the funeral shouted slogans together with “Loss of life to America!” and “Loss of life to Israel!” throughout the proceedings, reflecting long-standing tensions between Iran and the West.A poet addressing the group additionally made a provocative comment about US President Donald Trump, asking, “Why is essentially the most bas***d man on the earth nonetheless alive?” , which drew loud reactions from mourners.
Processions deliberate as ceremonies proceed
Sunday was declared a public vacation throughout Iran, with authorities anticipating turnout to rise additional as Khamenei’s physique is scheduled to be moved for a sequence of processions by means of Tehran and later to different cities within the coming days.Officers have warned of maximum warmth circumstances and crowd security dangers as gatherings intensify, whereas additionally persevering with strict safety preparations in and across the capital.The funeral, which follows weeks of regional battle and political uncertainty, is being carefully watched as a measure of public help for Iran’s management at a delicate geopolitical second.
