Preparations for Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies in Iran

Just before the ceremonies begin on Friday, Iran numerous state guests received. Iranian state television showed, among other things, how government representatives from China, Belarus, Iraq and Turkmenistan landed in the capital. In total, representatives from around thirty countries are expected to attend the first memorial service, as the organization manager Ali-Akbar Purjamshidian announced.

According to Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Bakaei, representatives of European countries are not invited because, according to Bakaei, they were “on the wrong side of history” in the Iran war.

Coffin already in Mosalla Mosque

The coffin of the former head of state was brought to the Mosalla Grand Mosque on Friday. Photos showed mourners carrying Khamenei’s coffin, covered with the Iranian flag, into the complex in the capital designed for large celebrations. It is a sprawling complex designed for major Friday prayers, official commemorations and religious gatherings.

Workers were putting the finishing touches on the entrances to the facility while others were tarring the sidewalks. Numerous security forces and police officers are on site. Huge portraits of Ali Khamenei cover the facade of the Mosalla, whose architecture corresponds to the main building of a mosque. Inside, workers are working on scaffolding on a metal structure, images distributed by state media show.

Tehran will be “completely closed”

The authorities expect between 15 and 20 million people in Tehran alone. Starting Saturday, three days of remembrance are planned in the Iranian capital. During this time, the capital will be “completely closed and work-free,” authorities have ordered. There will be significant traffic restrictions; A huge area of ​​the city center is closed to cars. The preparations are already causing traffic jams as certain roads have been closed to delivery vehicles.

State television has devoted large parts of its programming in recent days to broadcasting documentaries about Khamenei and warnings as the funeral ceremonies will take place in sweltering temperatures. For security reasons, Iran wants to close its airspace for several days.

“Strengthening national cohesion”

One goal of the funeral ceremonies, in Purjamshidian’s words, is to “strengthen national cohesion and unity among the various political, social and religious components of the country around the central role of the leader.” Posters for the funeral ceremonies promise Iran a “bright future”.

The funeral ceremonies for Ali Khamenei come six months after mass protests against the high cost of living in Iran and against the government – and four months after the 86-year-old was killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike on his official residence in Tehran on February 28th. The USA and Israel then waged war against Iran for more than five weeks until representatives from Washington and Tehran agreed on a ceasefire in early April. Dozens of Iranian generals and influential politicians were also killed. There is currently a fragile ceasefire, and Washington and Tehran have agreed on a framework agreement to end the war.

The ceremonies, originally planned for early March, were initially postponed because of the war.

Burial in Mashhad

The ceremonies continue until Monday. Khamenei’s body will then be taken to the pilgrim city of Qom and Iraq. A funeral procession will move through Iraq and the Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on July 8th. Ali Khamenei will finally be buried on July 9th in the holy city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran, his hometown.

Ali Khamenei’s son Mojtaba took over as Iran’s Supreme Leader in early March, but he has not made any public appearances since his appointment. Mojtaba Khamenei is said to have been seriously injured in the attack that killed his father. It is still unclear whether he will take part in his father’s funeral ceremonies in Tehran. “The issue of the Supreme Leader’s participation is beyond my jurisdiction and knowledge,” Purjamshidian said.