Millions gathered in Tehran as Iran launched six days of national mourning for Sayyed Ali Khamenei, with senior officials and international delegations joining the funeral ceremonies.

Tehran, Iran, Sayyed Ali Khamenei funeral, national mourning, millions of mourners, Iranian officials, international delegations, US-Israeli war, Grand Mosalla.

Six days of national mourning began as millions gathered in Tehran to honor Sayyed Ali Khamenei.

Millions of Iranians gathered in Tehran on Saturday as funeral ceremonies for Sayyed Ali Khamenei officially began, marking the start of six days of national mourning following the death of the longtime leader of the Islamic Republic.

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State television announced the opening of the ceremonies as large crowds converged on the capital. Iranian authorities estimate that between 15 and 20 million people will participate in Tehran over the next three days, making the farewell one of the largest public commemorations in the country’s history.

Sayyed Ali Khamenei led the Islamic Republic from 1989 until he was killed at the age of 86 on February 28, the opening day of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Before the official proceedings began, thousands of mourners carrying red banners—described as a symbol of vengeance—gathered in the courtyard of Tehran’s Grand Mosalla to await the arrival of Khamenei’s coffin. Chants of “death to America” and “revenge, revenge” echoed throughout the religious complex.

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Una publicación compartida por Al Jazeera English (@aljazeeraenglish)

AFP journalists reported that many participants walked several kilometers to reach the venue, while hundreds had already assembled outside the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque on Friday evening to attend the funeral.

Members of Khamenei’s family who were killed in the US-Israeli strikes, including his infant granddaughter, are also scheduled to be buried during the funeral ceremonies.

Iranian leaders and international delegations attend

Senior Iranian officials gathered on Friday to pay tribute to Khamenei following the war. Among those present were Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Ahmad Vahidi, who was recently appointed commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps after his predecessor was killed in the same attacks.

Foreign dignitaries attending the ceremonies included Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, representing Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Delegations from Hamas, Hezbollah, Afghanistan’s government, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Nicaragua, Myanmar, and the Economic Cooperation Organization also joined the commemorations, alongside diplomatic representatives from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Officials stress unity and readiness

Iranian officials stated that, despite the current pause in hostilities following an initial understanding between Iran and the United States, the country remains prepared to respond to any future attack on its sovereignty or territory.

“The nation’s call for vengeance must ring in the ears of the whole world,” Ghalibaf said, urging broad public participation in the funeral ceremonies.

Army chief Amir Hatami stated that “Israel” and the United States “will pay for the blood of the martyred leader and all the nation’s martyrs”.

As the ceremonies continue, authorities have urged mourners to follow public safety measures, while state television has broadcast guidance aimed at preventing crowd crushes during the mass gatherings in Tehran.

From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.