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Large crowds of mourners have gathered in Tehran for the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, as the country began a week of memorial ceremonies.
The funeral prayers took place on Sunday, the second day of national mourning, at the Grand Mosalla complex, where Khamenei’s body has been lying in state.
Many mourners, dressed in black, were seen crying, beating their chests, and carrying banners and flags in his honour.
Some also chanted slogans calling for the death of United States (US) President Donald Trump.
The funeral prayers were led by prominent Shia cleric Ja’far Sobhani.
Recall that Khamenei and four members of his family were killed in an airstrike on February 28, the first day of the US and Israel’s war with Iran.
His funeral was delayed because of the conflict and is now taking place during a fragile ceasefire between Tehran and Washington, while peace talks remain on hold.
Three of Khamenei’s sons were seen praying beside his coffin, but his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, was absent.
According to reports, Mojtaba has remained at an undisclosed location since becoming the supreme leader because of security concerns and is also believed to have been wounded in the airstrike.
Iran declared Sunday a public holiday to allow citizens to take part in the ceremonies.
Authorities expect more than 10 million people to attend the funeral events in Tehran.
After the ceremonies in the capital, Khamenei’s body will be taken to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before being buried in his hometown of Mashhad on Thursday.
