Millions Attend Funeral Prayer for Former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Millions of mourners gathered in Iran's capital on Sunday to attend the funeral prayer for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with massive crowds filling Tehran's central Grand Mosalla mosque and surrounding streets hours before the ceremony began.

According to Iranian media, the growing number of mourners forced authorities to close all entrances to the mosque complex about an hour before the funeral prayer due to capacity concerns. Thousands of people who could not enter remained on nearby roads and open spaces, where they also took part in the prayers.

Security was tightened across the area as law enforcement agencies maintained a heavy presence throughout the ceremony.

The funeral prayer began at 8:00 a.m. local time and was led by senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani.

Among those attending were Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi. Khamenei's sons Masoud, Maysam, and Mostafa also stood in the front row during the funeral prayer.

Iranian media reported that the country's current Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, did not attend the funeral because of security concerns and reported health issues following the February attack that killed his father.

Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami's adviser, Mohammad Ali Abtahi, criticized the authorities, alleging that opposition politicians and several former officials were not allowed to attend the funeral ceremony.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 during a U.S.-Israeli airstrike at the outset of the Iran conflict, according to Iranian authorities. More than four months later, Iran has begun a six-day period of national mourning and funeral ceremonies before his burial.

Khamenei's body was placed on public display at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on Friday, allowing mourners to pay their final respects. The public viewing and funeral events are scheduled to continue through Sunday, with the burial expected to take place later this week after additional memorial ceremonies in several cities.