Iran begins public mourning for slain ayatollah, body to lie in state

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s body will lie in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla starting Friday, ahead of a series of funeral events that will span several days. The ceremony will allow mourners to pay their respects in the nation’s largest mosque, a venue that has historically hosted the state funerals of prominent political figures.

The lying‑in‑state is part of a broader mourning schedule that includes a public procession, a state funeral service, and a final burial. Security officials have arranged for controlled access to the Mosalla, and the event is expected to draw large crowds from across the country. The schedule follows the traditional protocol for the burial of Iran’s highest religious and political leaders.

The funeral proceedings will conclude with Khamenei’s interment in a mausoleum that has been designated for former supreme leaders. The ceremonies are intended to honor his legacy and provide a national moment of reflection for Iran’s citizens.