Supreme Leader’s Body Arrives in Tehran Ahead of State Funeral

The body of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has arrived at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran ahead of his official state funeral scheduled for Saturday.

State media reported that mourners received the flag-draped coffin at one of Iran’s most significant ceremonial venues, where millions of people and foreign dignitaries are expected to gather for the funeral.

Images from the venue showed crowds dressed in black paying their respects as the coffin was placed amid floral tributes. The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Ahmad Vahidi, was also seen attending the pre-funeral ceremony.

The funeral preparations come as Iran and the United States continue to observe a fragile ceasefire following the recent conflict between the two countries.

Several world leaders and government representatives are expected to attend the ceremony, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. China, Afghanistan and several neighbouring countries have also confirmed they will send delegations.

Authorities have declared public holidays in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad to allow citizens participate in the mourning activities. Government offices in Tehran will remain closed from Saturday through Monday, while security and traffic restrictions have been intensified around the capital.

Following the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei’s body will be taken to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before final burial on July 9 at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace.

The funeral is expected to attract one of the largest gatherings in Iran’s history, with officials projecting millions of mourners from across the country and the wider region.