Thousands Attend Funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei in Tehran and Qom
The body of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei arrived in the holy city of Qom on Monday evening, following a funeral procession in Tehran earlier in the day.
State media reported that large crowds of mourners, including ordinary citizens and top officials, gathered in Tehran's Azadi Square to pay respects. Khamenei's coffin, draped in the Iranian flag, was carried on a truck decorated to resemble the ornamental grating of an imam's shrine.
According to reports, Khamenei and four family members were killed in an airstrike on February 28. The strike has been attributed by Iranian officials to the United States and Israel, though no independent verification has been provided.
The funeral procession in Tehran was marked by chants against U.S. President Donald Trump, as reported by state media. Security was tight, with authorities managing the large crowds.
Khamenei, who led Iran since 1989, was a pivotal figure in the Islamic Republic. His death and the circumstances surrounding it have heightened tensions in the region.
Details of the funeral arrangements and the planned burial in Qom were announced by Iran's government. The event underscores the deep divisions and geopolitical implications of the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Further updates on the situation are awaited as the international community responds to the developments.
