Tehran Gathers in Mourning as Iranians Prepare Farewell to Late Supreme Leader Khamenei

 

Public will be able ​to pay their respects to the body of Ali Khamenei at Tehran’s ​Imam Khomeini Prayer Hall.

Iranians are preparing to bid farewell to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a major ceremony in Tehran, marking the beginning of a three‑day mourning period following his death in a joint U.S.–Israeli airstrike. The public tribute is scheduled to begin late Wednesday at the Imam Khomeini Prayer Hall, where citizens will be able to pay their respects to the longtime leader. 

Officials expect massive crowds, prompting logistical adjustments and, in some cases, postponements of earlier planned events. Iranian authorities noted that people from across the country have requested the opportunity to attend, leading to delays as preparations continue.

State media reported that the farewell rites will span three days, with details of the funeral procession to be announced later. The ceremony comes amid heightened regional tensions, as Israeli officials have warned that Khamenei’s successor may also be targeted. 

Khamenei, who led Iran for more than three decades, remains a central figure in the nation’s political and religious identity. His death has triggered one of the largest public mourning events in recent Iranian history, with millions expected to participate.