Islamabad : Millions of mourners poured onto the streets of Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with state media describing the event as the largest public gathering in the country’s modern history.
Iranian state broadcaster Press TV and the Tasnim news agency reported that vast crowds lined a 10-kilometre route through the capital as the procession began after Khamenei’s body had lain in state for two days at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex.
Khamenei, who was assassinated on February 28 in Israeli airstrikes carried out with US intelligence support during the Middle East conflict, is being honoured with several days of nationwide mourning before his burial later this week.
Thousands carrying Iranian flags and portraits of the late leader gathered from the early hours of Monday, while state television broadcast images of mourners filling major roads and public squares. Officials described the turnout as unprecedented, reflecting the significance of the ceremony for the Islamic Republic.
The funeral procession also included the coffins of Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and young granddaughter, who were killed in the same airstrikes. Their remains were carried in a separate ceremonial vehicle accompanying the cortege.
The procession is travelling from Imam Hussein Square through Enghelab Street, Enghelab Square, Azadi Square and Shahid Lashgari Highway before concluding near Mehrabad International Airport.
Authorities mounted an extensive security operation across the capital to manage the enormous crowds expected for the funeral.
Major roads were closed, while special traffic diversions and public transport arrangements were introduced to facilitate the movement of mourners. Emergency services were deployed along the route, and officials also implemented measures to protect participants from the intense summer heat.
The heightened precautions reflect lessons learned from the funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, when millions of mourners overwhelmed security arrangements. That ceremony descended into chaos after crowd surges reportedly left several people dead and thousands injured, forcing authorities to use a helicopter to transport Khomeini’s body for burial after mourners surrounded the funeral vehicle.
To minimise the risk of similar incidents, reinforced concrete barriers had surrounded Khamenei’s coffin during the public viewing at the Grand Mosalla over the previous two days.
Funeral prayers for Khamenei and his family members were held on Sunday at the Grand Mosalla, attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, senior military commanders, government officials and hundreds of thousands of mourners. Iranian media reported that Grand Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani led the prayers.
Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf later praised what he described as the Iranian nation’s united tribute to its slain leader.