Huge crowds of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday as Iran continued funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with the capital’s Grand Mosalla complex and surrounding streets packed with people paying their final respects.Prayers were held over Khamenei’s casket on the second day of the state funeral, which has drawn what authorities say could eventually be millions of participants across multiple days of ceremonies.The vast religious complex was filled with mourners dressed in black, many carrying Iranian flags and portraits of the late leader, as they moved through tightly packed streets under heavy security and sweltering summer heat.
Grand Mosalla overflowed as mourners gather in large numbers
The Grand Mosalla complex and nearby roads were overwhelmed with attendees on Sunday morning, news agency AFP journalists on the ground reported, as long queues formed for entry into the prayer halls.Authorities arranged refreshments and crowd-control measures as temperatures crossed 35°C, while mourners performed funeral prayers for Khamenei and members of his family killed alongside him in an airstrike on February 28, which also marked the start of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.Khamenei’s coffin, draped in the Iranian flag and topped with his black turban, was placed alongside those of several relatives, including his infant granddaughter, during the ceremony.
Senior clerics and leaders lead funeral prayers
The prayers at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla complex were led by prominent Shia cleric Ja’far Sobhani, a 97-year-old seminary scholar from Qom.Senior Iranian leaders, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, attended the ceremony, alongside other top officials, state television footage showed.Khamenei’s sons Masoud, Mostafa and Meysam were also present, while his successor Mojtaba Khamenei was notably absent, amid reports he has remained out of public view following the February attack, AFP reported.
Emotional scenes, chants and political undertones
The large turnout was accompanied by emotional scenes and strong political messaging, with mourners chanting slogans as they gathered in and around the venue.Some participants at the funeral shouted slogans including “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” during the proceedings, reflecting long-standing tensions between Iran and the West.A poet addressing the crowd also made a provocative remark about US President Donald Trump, asking, “Why is the most bas***d man in the world still alive?” , which drew loud reactions from mourners.
Processions planned as ceremonies continue
Sunday was declared a public holiday across Iran, with authorities expecting turnout to rise further as Khamenei’s body is scheduled to be moved for a series of processions through Tehran and later to other cities in the coming days.Officials have warned of extreme heat conditions and crowd safety risks as gatherings intensify, while also continuing strict security arrangements in and around the capital.The funeral, which follows weeks of regional conflict and political uncertainty, is being closely watched as a measure of public support for Iran’s leadership at a sensitive geopolitical moment.
