Iranian authorities have announced a three-day funeral plan for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's former supreme leader, who died on February 28. The announcement comes after an initial postponement of the funeral, which was attributed to logistical challenges related to expected attendance.
Ayatollah Khamenei, who was 86, was killed in a strike on his residence. His death, occurring at the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, was initially met with uncertainty regarding funeral arrangements. State media reported in early March that the funeral had been postponed indefinitely due to the anticipated large number of mourners.
Mohammad Amin Tavakoli-Zadeh, Tehran's deputy mayor, stated on Tuesday that the funeral ceremonies will span three days and include processions in the capital, Tehran, as well as in the cities of Qom and Mashhad. According to Iran's state broadcaster IRIB, the Tehran ceremony alone is expected to last at least 24 hours, with officials preparing for an attendance of up to 20 million people.
IRNA, another state media outlet, indicated that the funeral is scheduled to take place in mid-June, though a specific date and time have not been provided. Ayatollah Khamenei's tenure as supreme leader spanned over three decades. His death prompted varied reactions in Tehran, ranging from disbelief and mourning to celebration.
Following Khamenei's death, his son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, was reportedly chosen as his successor. However, he has not made any public appearances since assuming the role.
