Ceremony begins Wednesday night at Imam Khomeini prayer hall
Iran will begin public farewell ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran late on Wednesday, according to a senior official speaking to state media. The announcement comes days after Iranian state media reported Khamenei was killed in Israeli and U.S. air strikes on Saturday at the age of 86.
Hojjatoleslam Mahmoudi, head of Iran’s Islamic Propagation Council, said the farewell period will run for three days, while details of the funeral procession will be provided later.
Public viewing scheduled to start at 10 p.m. local time
Mahmoudi said members of the public will be able to pay their respects at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Prayer Hall starting at 10 p.m. local time, corresponding to 1830 GMT. He said the Mosalla prayer hall will receive visitors and called on people to attend and participate in the farewell ceremony.
The state media report described Khamenei as having built his rule around opposition to the United States and Israel. Further information on the funeral procession is expected to be announced after the start of the multi-day ceremony.
Death follows weekend strikes amid wider regional conflict
Khamenei’s death was reported by Iranian state media after air strikes by Israel and the United States on Saturday. The announcement adds a major political dimension to the ongoing conflict and sets the stage for a large public event in Tehran as authorities organize ceremonies and prepare subsequent funeral arrangements.
