Tehran Opens Public Farewell for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Ahead of State Funeral

Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Saturday as Iran opened public viewing for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, marking one of the country's largest mourning events in recent history.

The emotional scenes came a day after international delegations visited the venue to pay their respects, offer prayers, and sign condolence books.

Public Viewing Draws Thousands

According to Iranian media, mourners began arriving early in the morning at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla. The main courtyard quickly filled with people as thousands gathered for a final farewell.

Authorities imposed strict traffic restrictions across Tehran to manage the large crowds. Many mourners walked several kilometers to reach the venue, while metro stations experienced unusually heavy passenger traffic throughout the day.

The bodies of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family have been placed in glass coffins to allow members of the public to pay their final respects. Public viewing is expected to continue throughout the day.

Funeral Prayer Expected on Sunday

Iranian media reported that the funeral prayer is expected to be held on Sunday following the Fajr prayer.

The ceremony is anticipated to attract more than 100 international delegations representing over 100 countries, alongside an estimated crowd of more than 10 million people.

Nationwide Preparations Underway

With millions expected to travel to Tehran, authorities have announced extensive logistical arrangements to accommodate visitors.

Key Preparations

More than 5,000 schools have been opened for visiting mourners.
Around 40,000 to 50,000 classrooms across Iran have been prepared to provide temporary accommodation.
Strict traffic controls have been implemented throughout Tehran.
Public transportation, particularly the metro system, has experienced exceptionally high demand.

These measures are intended to support the large number of people expected to attend the funeral ceremonies.

A Day of National Mourning

Throughout the day, mourners continued to gather at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, where many spent time offering prayers and paying their final respects.

The public farewell remains ongoing as Iran prepares for Sunday's funeral ceremony, which is expected to be one of the largest public gatherings in the country's history.