Millions of mourners flooded the streets of Tehran on Monday to join the funeral procession of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who died at the age of 87 after decades in power. The massive turnout, estimated by state media at over 5 million people, marked one of the largest public gatherings in the country's history.
Procession details
The procession began at dawn from the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque, where Khamenei's body had lain in state overnight. Mourners, many dressed in black and carrying portraits of the late leader, walked for hours behind the wooden coffin draped in an Iranian flag. The route stretched several kilometers through central Tehran, with crowds so dense that traffic came to a standstill across the capital.
State television broadcast live footage showing waves of people pressing against barricades, chanting slogans and beating their chests in grief. Some mourners fainted from the heat and crush, with ambulances struggling to reach them through the sea of humanity. Authorities deployed thousands of security personnel and set up medical tents along the route.
Political and religious significance
Khamenei's death after 35 years as Supreme Leader has plunged Iran into a period of mourning and political uncertainty. His successor, President Ebrahim Raisi, addressed the crowd briefly, vowing to uphold Khamenei's legacy of resistance against Western influence. "Today, Iran has lost a father," Raisi said, according to state news agency IRNA. "But his path will continue."
The funeral also drew senior figures from allied nations, including representatives from Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthi movement, underscoring Khamenei's role as a central figure in the so-called Axis of Resistance. The United States and European Union sent no official representatives, but several countries expressed condolences.
Security and logistics
Security was tight throughout the day, with plainclothes officers mingling among the crowd and snipers positioned on rooftops. The government declared a public holiday, closing schools, banks, and government offices. Tehran's metro ran extra services but remained overwhelmed, with many stations closed due to overcrowding.
The funeral procession is scheduled to culminate at the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery, where Khamenei will be buried in a mausoleum near his predecessor, Ruhollah Khomeini. A separate ceremony for foreign dignitaries is planned for Tuesday.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent, at least 10 people died and hundreds were injured during the procession due to heatstroke and stampedes. Authorities urged the public to avoid further gatherings as the country enters a 40-day mourning period.
