Iran calls for massive crowds to attend Khamenei's burial in a show of solidarity to 'honor' his memory

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator, issued a call to action on Thursday, urging the Iranian people to turn out in massive numbers for Ali Khamenei's funeral as a means of avenging the supreme leader's death in US-Israeli strikes that marked the beginning of the war.

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Ghalibaf, who also serves as the speaker of Iran's parliament, extended an invitation to all Iranians to participate in the funeral ceremonies, which are set to commence on Saturday, and in doing so, create a lasting impression on the history of Islamic Iran.

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The nation's desire for vengeance, Ghalibaf emphasized, must be heard loud and clear around the world, as he made a statement in which he underscored the significance of the Iranian people's presence at the funeral.

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Khamenei's funeral, which was initially postponed due to the intensity of the Middle East war, is now scheduled to take place amidst a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States, following the signing of a preliminary agreement aimed at halting the conflict.

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Khamenei, a revered spiritual figure among many Shias, lost his life at the age of 86, when he was killed at his compound in the heart of the Iranian capital on February 28, the first day of the war.

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His public funeral is slated to begin on Saturday, with his body lying in state at the Grand Mosalla complex in central Tehran, a venue that hosts major Friday prayers, official ceremonies, and religious gatherings, and will also include the presentation of the bodies of his slain relatives.

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According to officials, the ceremonies are anticipated to draw a massive crowd of between 15 and 20 million mourners, which would make it the largest state funeral in the country's history, a prospect that has prompted Ghalibaf to remark that Iran is on the cusp of experiencing one of the most significant moments in its history.

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In preparation for the events, Tehran, as well as the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad, which will host subsequent stages of the funeral and burial ceremonies, will observe public holidays, while authorities have ordered the closure of public and private offices in Tehran from Saturday through Monday.

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Additionally, traffic restrictions will be implemented, rendering much of the city centre inaccessible to private vehicles, and the airspace over Tehran will be partially closed from Friday and fully closed on Monday.

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Following the conclusion of the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei's body will be transported to the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, before his eventual burial on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in the northeastern city of Mashhad, which is also his birthplace.

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However, it remains uncertain whether Khamenei's son and successor, Mojtaba, who has not been seen in public since assuming the role of supreme leader, will be in attendance at the main ceremony in Tehran.

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Representatives from approximately 30 countries are expected to attend the funeral, with a significant influx of people anticipated from neighbouring countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.