Iran makes arrangements for the burial of its former top spiritual figure, Ayatollah Khamenei

Tehran's Grand Mosalla was adorned with massive portraits of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader who was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes, as workers scrambled to prepare for his grand funeral ceremony on Tuesday.

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Following a preliminary deal to halt the conflict, Iran and the United States are upholding a fragile ceasefire, allowing for the funeral to proceed after being initially delayed due to the Middle East war.

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a revered spiritual figure for many Shias, was 86 years old when he was killed at his compound in central Tehran on February 28, marking the first day of the war.

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His public funeral, scheduled to begin on Saturday, will feature his body lying in state at the colossal complex in central Tehran, a venue that hosts major Friday prayers, official ceremonies, and religious gatherings, with the bodies of his slain relatives also being presented.

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According to officials, the ceremonies are expected 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.

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Preparations at the venue are underway, with workers applying fresh paint and a heavy police presence visible around the site, while state television footage showed workers welding metal structures and cranes lifting construction materials.

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In anticipation of huge crowds, state television has been urging mourners to use public transport to reach the venue and has issued public safety messages, reminding people to stay hydrated as temperatures are expected to rise during the funeral period.

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An AFP journalist observed that some lanes on major highways across the capital were already closed, exacerbating Tehran's notorious traffic congestion.

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State television has dedicated a significant portion of its programming in recent days to documentaries about Khamenei's life, providing a glimpse into his legacy.

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A separate event for foreign heads of state is scheduled for Friday, according to Ali-Akbar Pourjamshidian, secretary of the funeral ceremony headquarters, who estimated that representatives from around 30 countries will attend the funeral.

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Neighbouring countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, are expected to be represented, with people pouring in to pay their respects to the late leader.

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Tehran, as well as the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad, which will host later stages of the funeral and burial ceremonies, will observe public holidays while the events are underway.

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Authorities have ordered public and private offices in Tehran to close from Saturday through Monday, and major traffic restrictions will limit access to the city centre for private vehicles.

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The ceremony comes six months after nationwide protests that began over the rising cost of living and evolved into anti-government demonstrations, adding a layer of complexity to the proceedings.

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Funeral posters across Tehran have promised Iran a "bright future", while others displayed the ceremony's slogan: "We Must Rise", reflecting the mood of the nation.

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Following the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei's body will be taken to the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala before his burial on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in the northeastern city of Mashhad, 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 his appointment, will attend the main ceremony in Tehran.

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"The issue of the Supreme Leader's attendance is not within my authority or knowledge," said Pourjamshidian, adding that any programme or announcement regarding Mojtaba's attendance would be made by the Office of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.