Thousands Mourn Former Iranian Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran; Successor Absent

Thousands of Iranians gathered at Tehran's Grand Mosalla complex on Sunday to pay their final respects to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader of Iran, marking the second day of mourning ceremonies. The event saw the participation of top government officials and citizens, with a solemn ten-minute prayer led by the 97-year-old Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani. The vast crowd observed silence, honoring the leader who significantly shaped decades of Iranian political and religious life.

Among those present in the front row were Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and General Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guard. They stood alongside thousands of faithful who filled the Grand Mosalla complex, where funeral ceremonies are continuing. Notably absent from the front row was 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father as Supreme Leader in March and has not made a public appearance since.

Ayatollah Khamenei's coffin, draped in the Iranian flag and topped with his black turban, has been on display since Saturday. Alongside his coffin are those of relatives who died in the same raid: a daughter, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and a 14-month-old granddaughter. According to an AFP journalist, the Grand Mosalla and surrounding streets were packed with people holding Iranian and red flags, symbols of vengeance and justice, and portraits of Khamenei. Refreshments were being distributed as temperatures were expected to exceed 35 degrees Celsius.

The Iranian government has declared Sunday and Monday as national holidays to allow citizens to travel to the capital and participate in the ceremonies. Iranian authorities estimate that a total of 15 to 20 million people are expected to attend the farewell events for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, both in Iran and Iraq.