BBC correspondent Lyse Doucet reports on Tehran funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

BBC chief international correspondent reports from Tehran that large funeral ceremonies are underway to honor the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who served as Iran’s supreme leader for more than two decades. Crowds gathered at several mosques and public squares across the capital, with state media broadcasting the proceedings live. Security forces were deployed in high numbers, and traffic was rerouted to accommodate mourners traveling from across the country. Government officials described the events as a “national tribute” and urged citizens to observe the prescribed mourning protocols.

The ceremonies come amid a period of heightened public attention to Iran’s political legacy, as Khamenei’s tenure was marked by significant domestic and international developments. Religious scholars and former officials delivered eulogies highlighting his influence on the nation’s ideological direction. Observers noted that the scale of the mourning reflects both the leader’s prominence and the state’s effort to consolidate public sentiment. The funeral rites are expected to continue over the next several days, concluding with a burial at the Imam Reza shrine, after which authorities anticipate a gradual return to normal civic activities.