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IN PHOTOS: Tehran readies for the funeral of Ali Khamenei

Updated On: 03 July, 2026 02:54 PM IST | Mrinal Doshi

Iran has begun the official mourning ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei after his body arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex ahead of a state funeral expected to draw millions of mourners and foreign dignitaries. (PICS/AFP)

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Mourners gather at Tehran's Grand Mosalla as the coffin of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei arrives ahead of the state funeral. PIC/AFP
Mourners gather at Tehran's Grand Mosalla as the coffin of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei arrives ahead of the state funeral. PIC/AFP
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Draped in Iran's tricolour flag, the coffin marks the beginning of several days of official mourning following the Supreme Leader's death in US-Israeli strikes

Draped in Iran's tricolour flag, the coffin marks the beginning of several days of official mourning following the Supreme Leader's death in US-Israeli strikes

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Thousands accompany Khamenei's coffin into the Grand Mosalla, one of Iran's most important religious and ceremonial venues. Authorities expect the funeral to become one of the largest public gatherings in the country's history, with millions of people including delegates from around 30 countries anticipated to attend

Thousands accompany Khamenei's coffin into the Grand Mosalla, one of Iran's most important religious and ceremonial venues. Authorities expect the funeral to become one of the largest public gatherings in the country's history, with millions of people including delegates from around 30 countries anticipated to attend

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Iranian officials and foreign representatives pay their respects before the coffins of Ali Khamenei and his slain family members. Delegations from several countries are expected to participate in the funeral, underscoring its regional and diplomatic significance

Iranian officials and foreign representatives pay their respects before the coffins of Ali Khamenei and his slain family members. Delegations from several countries are expected to participate in the funeral, underscoring its regional and diplomatic significance

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The coffins of Ali Khamenei and his family members rest inside the Grand Mosalla as mourners file past to offer prayers and condolences. The public viewing forms the centrepiece of the first phase of Iran's state funeral

The coffins of Ali Khamenei and his family members rest inside the Grand Mosalla as mourners file past to offer prayers and condolences. The public viewing forms the centrepiece of the first phase of Iran's state funeral

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Ahmad Vahidi, chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, pays tribute at Khamenei's coffin during a ceremony in Tehran. The appearance marks his first public outing since the beginning of the Middle East war earlier this year

Ahmad Vahidi, chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, pays tribute at Khamenei's coffin during a ceremony in Tehran. The appearance marks his first public outing since the beginning of the Middle East war earlier this year

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Black-clad mourners gather beneath floral decorations and symbolic white butterflies surrounding Khamenei's coffin, reflecting the solemn atmosphere as Iran enters a period of national mourning

Black-clad mourners gather beneath floral decorations and symbolic white butterflies surrounding Khamenei's coffin, reflecting the solemn atmosphere as Iran enters a period of national mourning

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The Grand Mosalla stands transformed with flowers, banners and mourning decorations as Iran prepares to bid farewell to its longtime supreme leader. The venue will host public tributes before the funeral procession moves to later stages of the ceremonies

The Grand Mosalla stands transformed with flowers, banners and mourning decorations as Iran prepares to bid farewell to its longtime supreme leader. The venue will host public tributes before the funeral procession moves to later stages of the ceremonies

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Clerics and members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards oversee preparations inside the Grand Mosalla ahead of the official funeral ceremony. Security has been tightened across Tehran as the capital prepares for an unprecedented turnout

Clerics and members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards oversee preparations inside the Grand Mosalla ahead of the official funeral ceremony. Security has been tightened across Tehran as the capital prepares for an unprecedented turnout

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Iran's capital braces for an extraordinary state funeral, with public offices closed, traffic restrictions imposed and heightened security measures introduced as ceremonies continue under a fragile regional ceasefire

Iran's capital braces for an extraordinary state funeral, with public offices closed, traffic restrictions imposed and heightened security measures introduced as ceremonies continue under a fragile regional ceasefire

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Following ceremonies in the capital, his body is scheduled to travel to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before being laid to rest at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace.

Following ceremonies in the capital, his body is scheduled to travel to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before being laid to rest at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace.

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