Funeral rites for Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei commenced officially in Tehran on Saturday, drawing thousands of Iranians who gathered to honour the 86-year-old leader, who was killed in the US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
His coffin, covered with the flag of the Islamic Republic, was brought into the ceremonial complex with Khamenei's black turban resting on top. Alongside it were the coffins of several of his deceased relatives, including the small coffin of his 14-month-old granddaughter.
Khamenei's remains reached Tehran on Friday, marking the beginning of six days of public funeral ceremonies scheduled across cities in Iran and Iraq. Over the coming days, the cortege will travel through multiple locations in Iran before continuing into neighbouring Iraq. By Friday evening, hundreds of supporters of the Islamic republic had already assembled outside Tehran's Grand Mosalla in anticipation of the venue opening to the public on Saturday. Authorities said they expect between 15 and 20 million participants in Tehran alone over the next three days.
After the gates were opened, thousands of mourners streamed into the sprawling complex, filling its main courtyard. Many waved red banners, a symbol associated with calls for revenge, while chanting "death to America" and "revenge, revenge", news agency AFP reported.
"I am here to say goodbye to my beloved leader Ali Khamenei. I never expected to see such a day. I wish I had died before this tragedy," a 27-year-old mourner told news agency Associated Press.
Senior Iranian leaders also paid their respects on Friday. Parliament speaker and top negotiator in the US talks Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf was seen visibly emotional during the proceedings.
Among the senior officials attending the ceremonies was Ahmad Vahidi, who was appointed chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards after his predecessor was killed in the same strikes that claimed Khamenei's life.
India is being represented at the funeral ceremonies by Bihar governor Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita.
According to the planned schedule, Khamenei's coffin will remain in Tehran until Monday, when a funeral procession will move through the capital. It is then set to travel to the clerical centre of Qom on Tuesday, continue to the holy cities of neighbouring Iraq on Wednesday, and finally be taken to Khamenei's hometown of Mashhad in northeastern Iran for burial on Thursday.
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