Iran has entered a period of mourning with the start of a six-day funeral for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who died at the age of 85. The event has drawn millions of mourners, while the country’s leadership projects defiance against Western powers.
Funeral Procession Underway
The funeral began in Tehran, where Khamenei’s body was displayed for public viewing. Officials expect over 10 million people to participate in ceremonies across the country, including in Qom and Mashhad. The supreme leader’s death marks the end of a 35-year rule.
Defiant Tone Amid Mourning
Iranian state media has emphasized a message of resistance, with leaders vowing to continue Khamenei’s policies. “We will not bow to pressure,” said President Ebrahim Raisi in a televised address, according to state news agency IRNA. The funeral coincides with heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and regional influence.
Succession and Security
The Assembly of Experts is expected to name a successor soon, with speculation centering on Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei. Security remains tight, as the country faces both internal dissent and external threats. The funeral is the largest in Iran’s history, surpassing that of Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989.
