TEHRAN: Massive crowds flooded the streets of Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in one of the country’s largest public gatherings in decades.
Although Iranian authorities have not released an official attendance figure, state media and images from the capital showed millions of mourners lining major roads as Khamenei’s coffin was carried through the city after lying in state for two days at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla.
The funeral is widely seen as a display of national unity following weeks of conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. The ceremonies will continue with a procession in Qom on Tuesday, followed by events in the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday.
The coffin, covered in flower petals, moved slowly through the capital as mourners waved Iranian flags, banners of Hezbollah, and red flags symbolising revenge. Some demonstrators also displayed an effigy of Donald Trump, according to Iranian state media.
Authorities tightened security and closed Tehran’s airspace for the day to ensure the ceremonies proceeded smoothly. Officials were keen to avoid the deadly crowd crush that occurred during the 1989 funeral of Ruhollah Khomeini, when more than 10 people were killed and thousands injured.
“I don’t see any difference compared with that funeral, but today’s crowd appears even more passionate,” said 58-year-old mourner Gholamreza Khanbabaei.
To help people cope with the intense summer heat, water trucks sprayed the crowds while volunteers distributed Iranian flags and portraits of Ali Khamenei and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Mojtaba, who has remained out of the public eye since assuming leadership, did not appear during Monday’s procession.
Among those attending the funeral was former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, while Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf praised the turnout on social media, describing it as a demonstration of the unity and resilience of the Iranian people.
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