Tehran Receives Remains of Late Supreme Leader Khamenei for Grand Funeral Rites

The remains of Iran's former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, have been transported to Tehran's Grand Mosalla, a significant religious complex, as the nation prepares for his funeral. State media confirmed the arrival on Friday for the spiritual leader, whose demise in US-Israeli strikes earlier ignited the Middle East conflict.

Anticipation is high for Saturday's official ceremony, with millions of mourners and numerous foreign dignitaries expected to gather. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Tehran's chief negotiator, has urged a massive turnout, framing it as an act of vengeance for Khamenei’s death. Photographs depict the late leader's coffin, adorned with Iran's tricolour flag, being carried into the Grand Mosalla, a revered venue for national ceremonies. Other images show large crowds dressed in black at a pre-funeral event, with the coffin placed amidst a display of red flowers and white butterflies.

The preparations for Khamenei’s public funeral, initially postponed during the peak of the war, are now proceeding under a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States, following a preliminary agreement to halt hostilities. Key mediator in the US-Iran discussions, Pakistan, announced its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would be attending the rites. Representatives from China, Afghanistan, and Iran's neighbouring Caucasus nations are also slated to be present.

On Thursday, workers were observed making final arrangements at the Grand Mosalla, while security personnel managed traffic and onlookers. Hossein Moghadassi, a worker, commented, “We are planting flowers and watering the shrubs for the farewell ceremony of our martyred guide. People will come from all over Iran. There will be huge crowds.”

Ghalibaf, who also serves as Iran's parliament speaker, had appealed to “all the Iranian people…to write a glorious page in the history of Islamic Iran through your presence.” He further stated, “The nation’s call for vengeance must ring in the ears of the whole world.”

Khamenei, revered by many Shias as a spiritual figure, passed away at 86 following strikes on his compound situated in the heart of the Iranian capital. His body will lie in state for three days at the immense Grand Mosalla, which has been extensively decorated with banners featuring his images and quotes. The bodies of his deceased relatives will also be displayed.

Officials project that the ceremonies could attract between 15 and 20 million mourners, potentially making it the largest state funeral in Iran's history. Ghalibaf described the event as “one of the most significant moments” for the nation. Public holidays have been declared in Tehran, as well as the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad, which will host subsequent stages of the funeral and burial.

Authorities have ordered government and private offices in Tehran to close from Saturday through Monday. Traffic restrictions will also render large parts of the city centre inaccessible to private vehicles. The airspace above Tehran will experience partial closure from Friday, becoming fully restricted on Monday.

Following the Tehran ceremonies, Khamenei’s body will be transported to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before its final interment on July 9 at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, his birthplace. It remains uncertain if Mojtaba, Khamenei’s son and successor, who has not made a public appearance since assuming the supreme leadership, will attend the main ceremony in Tehran. Around 30 countries are anticipated to send representatives, with significant numbers of people travelling from neighbouring Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.