Officials including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Revolutionary Guards chief Ahmad Vahidi attended the ceremonies at Tehran's Grand Mosalla, along with huge crowds. However, Khamenei's son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, was conspicuously absent. Reports indicate he was wounded in the same attack that killed his father and has not appeared in public since his appointment in early March. The late leader's other three sons attended. The service was led by prominent Shia cleric Ja'far Sobhani.

Sunday was declared a public holiday. Authorities expect more than 10 million people to participate in the ceremonies. Strict security measures have been imposed, with warnings about potential crowd crushes. Over 4,000 people visited medical centers at the site, but no deaths were reported. Khamenei's coffin, draped in the Iranian flag and topped with his black turban, was placed alongside those of four relatives also killed in the strikes, including an infant granddaughter.

The Middle East war is currently on hold following a ceasefire, but both Washington and Tehran have warned they are ready to resume military action. Mourners expressed anger and a desire for revenge. "The killers must face punishment," one attendee said, adding that people are not seeking peace or negotiations. The funeral is being viewed as a test of government support following mass protests in January. Delegations from Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis attended. The funeral processions will continue through Tehran on Monday before moving to Qom, then Iraq, and finally burial in Khamenei's hometown of Mashhad on Thursday. (Bssnews)