TEHRAN: Iran has completed the final preparations for the funeral of its late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, with strict security measures introduced across the country ahead of the ceremony in Tehran.
According to Iranian media reports, the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been moved to Imam Khomeini Hussainiya in southern Tehran, where funeral arrangements are underway.
Funeral prayers are scheduled to be offered on Friday. After the prayers, the body will be taken to Qom, followed by visits to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, before returning to Iran for burial in Mashhad.
Iranian officials expect the funeral procession to draw more than 10 million people, making it one of the country’s largest public gatherings. The ceremony is also expected to be attended by heads of state, senior government officials, religious scholars, and delegations from nearly 100 countries.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by members of the federal cabinet, is also expected to travel to Iran to participate in the funeral ceremonies.
To facilitate the events, the Iranian government has declared July 6 a nationwide public holiday. In addition, July 8 will be observed as a national day of mourning in memory of the late Supreme Leader.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters has issued a warning that any military action by Israel or the United States during the funeral or related events would receive what it described as a strong response. The military command stated that Iran’s armed forces remain fully prepared to protect the country’s security and urged any potential adversaries to consider the consequences of any hostile action.
Authorities have significantly increased security across Tehran and other parts of the country to ensure the funeral proceeds safely. With millions of mourners and numerous foreign delegations expected to attend, officials say comprehensive security arrangements have been put in place to manage the large crowds and maintain order throughout the ceremonies.
Also Read: Why Iran Postponed the Funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei?
