Millions Expected As War-scarred Iran Stages Dayslong Funeral For Ayatollah Khamenei

TEHRAN  — Iran prepared Friday for nan dayslong ceremonial of nan precocious Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, pinch banners crossed Tehran urging nan nationalist to emergence up successful support of nan Islamic Republic aft nan devastating warfare that killed nan 86-year-old cleric.

The country’s theocracy expects to spot millions flood nan streets of nan superior opening Saturday successful scenes reminiscent of nan funeral of nan precocious Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini successful 1989.

That could supply a boost for Iran’s government, peculiarly arsenic it tries to leverage its clasp connected nan Strait of Hormuz successful negotiations pinch nan United States complete a imperishable extremity to nan war, and arsenic interest still lingers that Israel could onslaught yet again.

Despite that, a powerful wide who leads Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard emerged publically for nan first clip successful months for nan funeral. Other apical authorities officials will besides apt will beryllium connected manus alongside overseas dignitaries successful a show of spot by Iran.

“As agelong arsenic these people, who are chosen [by God], are connected nan field, we will decidedly proceed nan aforesaid ‘no to humiliation’ argumentation that was founded by nan Islamic Republic,” said Mohammad Hossein Rezaei, a unpaid preparing for nan ceremonial Friday.

“We will proceed our argumentation of pursuing independence, and decisions will beryllium made wrong nan country, and nan group will determine their ain fate,” he said.

Caskets displayed successful Tehran

Khamenei’s flag-draped coffin sat astatine Tehran’s Grand Mosalla alongside family members killed successful nan Israeli airstrike that came successful nan first moments of nan warfare connected Feb. 28.

The dormant being honored see a son-in-law, his eldest daughter, a 14-month-old granddaughter and nan woman of Iran’s caller Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, nan boy of nan erstwhile leader who remains successful hiding aft reportedly being wounded successful nan attack.

Religious leaders and overseas dignitaries walked up to Khamenei’s casket arsenic a subject set played aliases a man sang prayers.

Video published by Iranian authorities media showed an earlier mourning ceremonial Thursday nighttime for Khamenei. The black-clad mourners, whom authorities media identified arsenic coming from families of those who mislaid loved ones successful nan 12-day warfare successful 2025 and nan caller Iran war, threw scarves and different items for attendants to brushwood against nan coffin, a communal believe successful Iran seen arsenic a blessing.

Later, authorities media showed images of Khamenei’s casket draped by a reddish emblem pinch achromatic calligraphy reference “Ya Hussein,” a Shiite look successful remembrance of nan 7th-century martyrdom of nan Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. It had been flying complete nan Imam Hussein golden-domed shrine successful Karbala, Iraq. The emblem besides traditionally symbolizes some nan spilled humor of personification unjustly killed and a telephone for vengeance.

Top wide appears for first clip successful months

Photos published online by Iranian authorities media showed Gen. Ahmad Vahidi attending a gathering Thursday astir nan ceremonial of Khamenei, past sitting alongside his casket arsenic Iran’s theocracy held a smaller work for him Thursday night.

“They must cognize that nan axenic humor of our martyred imam will people different turning constituent successful nan victories of beloved Islam crossed nan world arena,” Vahidi told authorities tv successful comments aired Friday. “They will return to their graves nan wish to spot this federation surrender. This federation will emergence higher time by time done this axenic blood.”

Funeral to spell connected for days

Beginning Saturday, Iran will clasp nan dayslong ceremonial for Khamenei and his assemblage will beryllium transported to cities successful some Iran and neighboring Iraq. Authorities scheme to unopen down streets, airspace and regular life successful Tehran arsenic mourners commemorate nan life of Khamenei.

In Tehran, images of nan precocious Khamenei’s fist could beryllium seen successful banners and successful a elephantine statue successful Enghelab Square, framed by what appeared to beryllium ballistic missiles flying done nan air. In his first connection to nan nation, publication by a authorities tv anchor, Mojtaba Khamenei said he saw his father’s assemblage aft his decease pinch raised, clenched fist.

The banners publication successful Arabic, English and Farsi: “We must rise.”

Karimi and Gambrell constitute for nan Associated Press. Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat successful Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.