Tehran: Thousands of mourners gathered in Iran’s capital on Friday as the country began multi-day funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with senior Iranian leaders, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, breaking down in tears during the farewell ceremony.

According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, emotional scenes unfolded at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla as political leaders, foreign dignitaries and ordinary citizens paid tribute to Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28 this year. The funeral marks one of the largest state ceremonies held in Iran in recent decades.

Iranian authorities have planned an extensive week-long programme of mourning, with ceremonies scheduled across multiple cities in Iran and neighbouring Iraq before Khamenei’s burial in Mashhad on July 9.

Senior Iranian leaders pay emotional tribute

The farewell ceremony witnessed visible emotion among Iran’s top leadership, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly breaking down during the proceedings.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Eje’i and Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani were also present alongside other senior government and military officials.

The ceremony at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla served as the first major public tribute before nationwide funeral processions begin over the coming days.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said high-level delegations from around the world had travelled to Tehran to participate in the funeral, describing it as one of the largest international gatherings hosted by Iran in recent years.

Massive security arrangements in Tehran

Iranian authorities have deployed extensive security measures for the funeral ceremonies, anticipating millions of mourners throughout the week.

According to Fars News, Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamadian said security arrangements had been strengthened to ensure the safe conduct of the events.

“We will have the highest level of security and safety at the farewell and send-off ceremony for the martyred Leader,” Motamadian said.

He announced that the gates of Tehran’s Prayer Grounds would officially open at 6 a.m. local time for members of the public, while organisers indicated the opening time could be advanced depending on crowd movement.

Authorities have urged mourners to arrive early as large crowds are expected throughout the ceremonies.

Leaders from across the world attend funeral

The funeral attracted senior political leaders and official delegations from numerous countries.

According to Press TV, Turkmenistan People’s Council Chairman Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir were among the prominent attendees.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev also travelled to Tehran for the funeral, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed.

Delegations from Iraq, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, along with representatives from Nicaragua, Congo, Burkina Faso, Oman and Egypt, also attended the ceremony.

Officials from international organisations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation, were also present.

India represented at state funeral

India sent an official delegation to the funeral ceremony comprising Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain.

The Embassy of Iran in India shared images of the Indian delegation paying tribute to Khamenei.

Several Indian political leaders, including People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, were also seen offering condolences during the event.

The participation reflected India’s diplomatic engagement despite the heightened geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict.

Baghdad to observe funeral procession

Fars News reported that authorities in Baghdad announced the Iraqi capital would partially shut down to facilitate funeral processions linked to Khamenei’s final journey.

Baghdad Governor Atwan Al-Atwani confirmed preparations for events in Iraq, which will include ceremonies in Baghdad, Karbala and Najaf before the remains are taken to Mashhad for burial.

Iranian officials have described the regional funeral programme as a tribute reflecting Khamenei’s influence across the wider Shiite world.

Funeral ceremonies to continue through next week

Iranian authorities estimate that between 1.5 crore and 2 crore mourners could participate in various funeral events across the country during the week.

Following the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei’s body will be taken through a major funeral procession in the capital on Monday before travelling to the religious city of Qom.

Additional memorial events are scheduled in Baghdad, Karbala and Najaf before the final burial in Mashhad on July 9.

Officials say the extended funeral programme has been designed to allow millions of supporters from across Iran and neighbouring countries to pay their final respects.

Ceremony reflects Iran’s effort to project unity

The funeral comes at a politically significant moment for Iran following months of conflict and regional tensions.

By organising one of the country’s largest public ceremonies in recent history, Iranian authorities are seeking to demonstrate national unity and continuity following Khamenei’s death.