Prayers were held over Khamenei’s coffin on the second day of the official funeral
Huge crowds of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday as Iran continued with funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with the capital’s Grand Prayer Complex and surrounding streets filled with people paying their last respects.Prayers were held over Khamenei’s coffin on the second day of the state funeral, which attracted what authorities say could eventually be millions of participants over multiple days of festivities.The vast religious complex was filled with black-clad mourners, many carrying Iranian flags and pictures of the late leader, as they moved through crowded streets under tight security and scorching summer heat.
The large chapel was overflowing while mourners gathered in large numbers
AFP journalists on the ground reported that the Grand Prayer Complex and nearby roads were packed with attendees on Sunday morning, with long lines forming to enter the prayer halls.
Authorities arranged refreshments and crowd control measures as temperatures topped 35 degrees Celsius, while mourners performed funeral prayers for Khamenei and his family members who were killed alongside him in an airstrike on February 28, which also marked the beginning of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Khamenei’s coffin, draped in the Iranian flag and topped with his black turban, was placed next to the coffins of several of his relatives, including his infant granddaughter, during the ceremony.
Senior clerics and leaders lead the funeral prayers
Leading the prayer in Tehran’s Grand Prayer Complex was prominent Shiite cleric Jafar Subhani, a 97-year-old seminary scholar from Qom.Official television footage showed the attendance of senior Iranian leaders, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, along with other senior officials.Khamenei’s sons Masoud, Mustafa and Maysam were also in attendance, while his successor Mojtaba Khamenei was noticeably absent, amid reports that he remained out of public view after the February attack, AFP reported.
Emotional scenes, chants and political undertones
The large turnout was accompanied by emotional scenes and strong political messages, as mourners chanted slogans as they gathered in and around the place.
Some of the funeral participants chanted slogans including, “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” During the proceedings, reflecting long-standing tensions between Iran and the West.One poet also made a provocative remark to the audience about US President Donald Trump, asking: “Why is the most despicable man in the world still alive?” This sparked sharp reactions from mourners.
Processions are planned as the celebrations continue
Sunday has been declared a public holiday across Iran, with authorities expecting turnout to rise further as Khamenei’s body is scheduled to be transported in a series of processions through Tehran and then to other cities in the coming days.Officials have warned of extreme heat conditions and crowd safety risks as gatherings intensify, with strict security arrangements continuing in and around the capital.The funeral, which comes after weeks of regional conflict and political uncertainty, is being closely watched as a measure of popular support for Iran’s leadership at a sensitive geopolitical moment.
