In Iran, a six-day farewell ceremony has begun for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed during Israeli-American airstrikes on Tehran more than four months ago. The Iranian authorities aim to use the funeral as a large-scale demonstration of national unity and a challenge to the West. The Wall Street Journal reports, UNN reports.
Details
According to the publication, Khamenei's body was placed for farewell at the Grand Mosalla Mosque in Tehran. The authorities expect up to 20 million people to participate in the ceremonies, which began on July 4.
Foreign delegations have already taken part in the ceremony, including Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress He Wei. Pakistan, Iraq, India, Turkey, and a number of other states also sent their representatives.
According to Iranian state media, five coffins wrapped in national flags were placed in the mosque. Among them is a small coffin with the body of Khamenei's one-year-old granddaughter, who, according to Tehran, also died during the airstrike.
"The ceremonies will last three days in Tehran, after which the body will be transported to Qom, and later to the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala. The final burial is scheduled for July 9 in Khamenei's hometown of Mashhad," the report says.
The publication notes that the Iranian leadership views the funeral as an opportunity to mobilize its supporters amid a fragile truce with the United States after several months of war.
Influential Iranian general emerges from shadows amid Ali Khamenei's funeral - AP03.07.26, 16:47
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, during the celebration of the country's 250th anniversary of independence, stated that the United States "taught Iran a good lesson" and added that the American side supposedly "gave them a week for the funeral."
Trump: Iran agreed to "almost everything we need" at the talks03.07.26, 10:23
At the same time, as WSJ notes, different assessments of Khamenei's legacy persist inside Iran. Some citizens consider him a symbol of resistance and protection of the country's sovereignty, while others recall the years of repression and economic crisis during his rule. Experts also note that after the war, part of society began to evaluate his tough foreign policy strategy differently, believing that it was precisely this that allowed Iran to withstand the military confrontation.