Huge crowds gather in Iran as funeral ceremonies for assassinated supreme leader begin

Thousands of Iranians gathered Saturday for the start of funeral ceremonies honoring Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in a US-Israeli strike. State television reported the official commencement of the events, which are intended to project strength to Iran's adversaries. Iranian authorities project that between 15 and 20 million people will participate in tributes in Tehran over the next three days. Six days of ceremonies are planned to commemorate Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic from 1989 until his death at age 86. The assassination occurred on February 28, the first day of a US-Israeli war on Iran. Security measures are significant, with road closures and anticipated airspace restrictions for what is expected to be the largest public gathering in Iran since the 1989 funeral of Khamenei's predecessor, Ruhollah Khomeini. Mourners carrying red banners gathered at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex, chanting slogans like "death to America" and "revenge, revenge." Participants expressed their commitment to Khamenei's legacy. "We came (to the funeral) because we promised the supreme leader we would stand by him to the very end," said Reza, a 37-year-old university professor. "For a long time, we shouted that we would sacrifice our lives for the leader, but it was he who sacrificed himself for us." Javad Akbari, 43, a food-processing plant worker, voiced regret at not having seen the leader up close. The coffin will lie in state until Monday, with a procession through Tehran planned before it moves to Qom on Tuesday. The succession of Khamenei's son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who was named supreme leader a week after his father's killing, is a key focus. He has yet to make a public appearance, and his role in the upcoming ceremonies is highly anticipated.

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We came (to the funeral) because we promised the supreme leader we would stand by him to the very end. For a long time, we shouted that we would sacrifice our lives for the leader, but it was he who sacrificed himself for us.