Large-scale memorial ceremonies began in the Iranian capital Tehran for former religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Officials emphasized the message of the Islamic Republic's continuity and that revenge would be taken for Khamenei's killing.
The 86-year-old Khamenei was targeted and killed in an airstrike on February 28, right at the start of the war with the US and Israel. Khamenei, who ruled Iran with absolute power for nearly 37 years, had a death that sent shockwaves through the country.
Red flags and the 'We Must Rise' slogan
Red flags, associated with martyrdom in Shia Islam but also seen as a symbol of revenge, flew at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran and other gathering sites. The official slogan of the ceremonies was set as 'We Must Rise,' accompanied by an image of Khamenei's clenched fist on a red and black background.
From the early hours of Saturday morning, thousands flocked to the Mosalla to pay their respects to the assassinated leader. Khamenei's body was brought to the site on a truck and displayed on a platform. The coffin was kept in a glass enclosure under the guard of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) personnel.
Tight security measures
Heavy security measures were noticeable in the capital. Armored vehicles, heavy machine guns, and snipers were deployed around the ceremony area. At the entrance to the Mosalla, men were subjected to pat-downs, and electronic items such as portable chargers, earphones, and lighters were confiscated.
The new religious leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public since taking over in March, did not attend the funeral ceremony due to security concerns.
Vows of 'blood revenge'
Footage broadcast by state media showed crowds chanting 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' at metro stations. Fatemeh, 55, speaking to Al Jazeera while waiting with a group of women in black chadors at the northern gate of the Mosalla, said: 'We are all here to take the blood revenge of our leader.' She added: 'We will all listen to his son. He will carry the revolution forward.'
Funeral schedule and nationwide shutdown
Khamenei's body is planned to be carried through the city on Monday during a funeral procession in Tehran, then taken through Shia holy sites such as Qom, Najaf, and Karbala, before being laid to rest on Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad.
A nationwide public holiday was declared through Monday, and officials expect up to 10 million people to attend the ceremonies across the country. Much of the capital was cordoned off with barriers, and unofficial vehicles were banned from entering or leaving.
Thousands of temporary religious service stations, called 'mokeb,' were set up across Tehran. Some volunteers distributed flags and banners to the crowd, while giant cooling fans were turned on and free drinks were offered as temperatures reached 36°C (97°F). Officials said no security incidents or health problems had been reported so far.
Meanwhile, some Iranians took advantage of the holiday to escape the capital's crowds and heat, heading to the cool northern provinces along the Caspian Sea coast. Long lines of vehicles formed on the Tehran-Shomal Highway, with travelers stuck in traffic for hours.
International participation and reactions
Representatives from dozens of countries attended the state ceremonies held on Friday. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has been mediating negotiations between Iran and the US, was among the highest-level attendees. European countries were reportedly not invited.
Senior figures from Hamas, Yemen's Houthis, and Lebanese Hezbollah were also present at the ceremonies. The Hezbollah delegation included family members of Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israel in 2024, and relatives of Imad Mughniyeh, who was killed in Syria in 2008.
IRGC Commander-in-Chief Ahmed Vahidi appeared in public for the first time since the start of the war, telling state television: 'The enemies must know that they will take their desire for surrender to the grave.' Majid Mousavi, commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Force, which is responsible for missile and drone operations, was also seen at the ceremony.
The armed forces central headquarters issued a statement warning against any military action during the ceremonies, after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Mojtaba Khamenei was 'marked for death.'
