Iran Begins Funeral Processions for Supreme Leader Killed in February Airstrikes

The body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lay in state in a vast hall in Tehran on Friday as clerics, officials and foreign dignitaries paid respects. Iran began a week of mass funeral processions for the supreme leader killed at age 86 in February airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel. Around 15 million people may attend the three-day segment in Tehran, France 24 reported.

The observances will move through at least five cities in Iran and Iraq before burial in Mashhad on Thursday. The body will also pass through the Shia cities of Karbala and Najaf in Iraq. Some 100 foreign delegations arrived under a tense ceasefire, Al Jazeera reported.

Iran has warned the United States and Israel against any attack during the observances. Public and private offices in Tehran will close from Saturday through Monday, BBC reported. The airspace over Tehran will be partially closed from Friday and fully closed on Monday.

Mojtaba Khamenei, son and successor of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was severely injured in the same strike that killed his father, wife and 14-month-old daughter, Al-Monitor reported. He has issued only written statements, one of which distanced him from ceasefire talks while allowing them to continue, BBC reported.

Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said this week that Mojtaba Khamenei remains marked for death.