A seven-day series of state funeral ceremonies in honor of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has begun in Iran. Foreign delegations from over 100 countries have arrived for the ceremony. Al Jazeera reports, UNN reports.
A seven-day series of state funeral ceremonies in honor of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has begun in Iran, with foreign delegations from over 100 countries arriving. On Friday, Khamenei's body was placed for farewell in a vast hall in Tehran, where scholars, government officials, foreign dignitaries, and other mourners paid their last respects after 37 years of his rule
His coffin was opened late Thursday before a crowd of weeping supporters. On Friday, the coffin - along with the coffins of family members who died with him - was displayed for farewell at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran, a large prayer hall built in honor of his predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
The 86-year-old Khamenei died along with several relatives - including his daughter, son-in-law, and three-year-old granddaughter - during an airstrike on February 28, the first day of the joint US-Israel war against Iran. Several weeks later, his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, officially succeeded him as Supreme Leader.
The burial was planned for March, but the months-long conflict delayed the funeral rites until this week.
Khamenei's coffin was draped with a flag that previously flew over the mausoleum of Imam Hussein in Karbala. On Friday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian paid his respects. Foreign dignitaries were also expected, including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iraqi President Nizar Amidi, and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.
Today was dedicated to high-ranking guests from about 100 countries who were invited to participate in this ceremony, including heads of state, prime ministers, speakers of parliaments, and other high-ranking officials
He noted that "invitations were not sent to European countries that supported the military campaign of Israel and the US against Iran."
The arrival of foreign delegations took place after a private viewing held at the complex the previous evening.
Let us recall
Iranian authorities announced multi-day funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who died on February 28 during the war between the US, Israel, and Iran. The events will take place from July 3 to July 9 in cities in Iran and Iraq.