By Zainab Bakare
Iran authorities have called for a massive public turnout at the funeral of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country prepares for what could become the largest state funeral in its history amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing indirect negotiations with the United States.
Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf urged citizens to participate in large numbers, describing the event as a historic moment for the Islamic Republic.
“The nation’s call for vengeance must ring in the ears of the whole world,” Ghalibaf said.
Funeral ceremonies are scheduled to begin in Tehran on Saturday, with millions of mourners expected to attend. Iranian officials estimate turnout could reach between 15 and 20 million people. The ceremonies will start at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla complex before continuing in Qom and ending with Khamenei’s burial in his hometown of Mashhad.
Khamenei, who led Iran for nearly four decades, was killed at age 86 during US-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran on February 28, according to Iranian state media and international reports.
Authorities have declared public holidays and tightened security nationwide, including road closures and temporary airspace restrictions over major cities. Officials from about 30 countries are expected to attend the ceremonies, while pilgrims and supporters are arriving from neighbouring countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The funeral comes at a delicate moment for Tehran, which is seeking to preserve a fragile ceasefire and continue indirect diplomatic engagements with Washington following recent talks in Doha.
