Iran is observing a period of mourning ahead of the funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died earlier this year in an attack attributed to the United States and Israel. The 86-year-old leader, who held power for 37 years, was killed on February 28 along with several family members.

The coffin of Khamenei, draped in the national flag, along with those of four relatives, was displayed for public viewing at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla. Iranian officials have anticipated that more than 20 million people will attend the funeral proceedings to pay their respects.

Following the initial ceremonies in Tehran, further commemorative events are planned in the cities of Qom and Mashhad. Khamenei is scheduled to be interred at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, a significant religious site in Iran.

Khamenei’s extended rule was marked by firm control over the country’s political and religious institutions. His death has stirred a significant public response across the nation, highlighting his enduring influence and the complex legacy of his time in power.

The circumstances surrounding Khamenei’s death remain a focal point in regional tensions, with Iran attributing responsibility to foreign military action, a claim denied by the countries named. As Iran conducts the funeral rites, the political ramifications of his assassination continue to unfold domestically and internationally.