Massive crowds gather in Tehran to honor martyred leader Ayatollah Khamenei

The public farewell ceremony began in the early hours of Saturday at Imam Khomeini Mosalla, with organizers opening several entrance gates ahead of schedule after large numbers of mourners arrived before dawn. Participants filled the prayer hall and surrounding streets, creating a solemn atmosphere with elegies, religious chants, and mourning rituals.

According to the organizing committee, the farewell ceremony will continue through Saturday and Sunday, followed by funeral prayers and the main funeral procession in Tehran on Monday, July 6. The funeral program will then continue in Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and conclude with the burial ceremony at the Imam Reza Holy Shrine in Mashhad on July 9.

Friday's official memorial ceremony drew senior officials and delegations from nearly 100 countries, making it one of the largest international diplomatic gatherings held for an official ceremony in the Islamic Republic. The events have also received broad coverage from regional and international media.