Iran has announced plans to hold a three-day state funeral for its late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes on the first day of the Middle East war.
Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for nearly 37 years, was killed at his residence in central Tehran on February 28.
A state funeral originally scheduled for March 4 was postponed because of the ongoing conflict.
Speaking on Tuesday, Tehran Deputy Mayor Mohammad Amin Tavakolizadeh said preparations were underway for a three-day public funeral, although a date has yet to be announced.
“A three-day public funeral is planned,” Tavakolizadeh was quoted as saying by state television.
He said the ceremony could take place in early Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, which begins in mid-June.
According to him, funeral events will be held in Tehran as well as in the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad, where Khamenei is expected to be buried.
“In Tehran, the ceremony will last at least 24 hours,” Tavakolizadeh said, adding that authorities expect as many as 20 million people to attend the funeral events.
The planned ceremonies are expected to be among the largest public gatherings in Iran’s history, reflecting Khamenei’s nearly four decades of leadership and influence in the country.
