Huge crowds expected at Iran leader’s funeral procession

TEHRAN — Massive crowds gathered in Tehran on Sunday for the funeral procession of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with authorities implementing heightened security measures to prevent a repeat of the deadly chaos that marred his predecessor’s 1989 funeral.

Khamenei’s body lay in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex for two days following his death in Israeli airstrikes on February 28. The funeral proceedings will span 10 to 12 hours beginning at 6:00 a.m. local time, with thousands of mourners paying their respects at the open-air complex.

Security infrastructure, including massive concrete barriers surrounding the casket, aimed to prevent stampedes that killed over a dozen people and injured thousands during Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s 1989 funeral, which drew an estimated 10 million attendees.

The procession will travel through Tehran before continuing to Qom on Tuesday and Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday, culminating in Khamenei’s burial in Mashhad on Thursday. Three of Khamenei’s sons made rare public appearances during Sunday’s ceremonies, while his son Mojtaba—who was named successor—remains publicly unseen amid reports of injuries from the strikes.

Senior officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, used social media platforms to praise the nation’s unity in mourning. The Revolutionary Guards appointed new leadership during the ceremonies, with commanders emphasizing institutional continuity.

Authorities are seeking to project stability following recent nationwide protests and five weeks of conflict with Israel and the United States. Both nations have signaled willingness to resume hostilities, with many attendees voicing calls for retaliation.

“The killers of our leader must face justice,” said one mourner. “We stand with our revolution and demand vengeance for our blood.”

Palestinian Hamas and Hezbollah delegations also attended the ceremonies amid ongoing regional tensions.

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