Mourners gather in Tehran ahead of Supreme Leader Khamenei's funeral

Huge crowds of mourners, dressed in black and waving Iranian flags, gathered on the streets of Tehran to commemorate the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His funeral ceremonies are scheduled to span from July 4 through July 9, with processions planned in major cities across Iran and Iraq, including Tehran, Qom, Mashhad, Najaf, and Karbala.

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This martyrdom is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a new chapter of national unity, resilience, and progress.

The casket, adorned with the country's colors and a sacred red flag symbolizing "resistance, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to truth," has emerged, drawing solemn crowds. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed deep sorrow but emphasized national fortitude, urging citizens to unite. He framed the leader's passing not as an end, but as the "beginning of a new chapter of national unity, resilience, and progress."

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This system rests on the firm foundations of faith, ideals, and the will of a great nation.

Domestic security forces are preparing for one of the largest deployments in the country's history to maintain public order and ensure leadership safety. Aviation assets may be used to monitor crowd movements. The current Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, will reportedly be absent from the funeral events due to security concerns.

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The historical flag serves as a "symbol of resistance, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to truth."

The security environment remains tense, with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stating the late leader was "marked for death." Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has clarified that any operational threat against the current leadership would face immediate and forceful retaliation. High-ranking military commanders have also cautioned external forces against any aggressive actions during the mourning period.

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the late leader was "marked for death."