"Death to America"... Iran Begins Funeral Processions for Supreme Leader Khamenei (Summary)

Tens of Millions Expected to Gather… Mourners Express Outrage, Chanting "Revenge, Revenge"

Held on U.S. Independence Day (250th Anniversary)… Attention Turns to Whether the New Supreme Leader Will Attend

The caskets of Ayatollah Khamenei and his family members placed at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla Mosque [AP=Yonhap News]Iran has begun the funeral rites for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated by Israel.

The funeral was held on the 4th (local time) at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, a large prayer venue in the capital city of Tehran.

Iranian authorities unveiled a glass casket containing the body of the former Supreme Leader to the public on an outdoor stage set up at the Grand Mosalla that day. Resting atop the casket was a black turban, symbolizing his status as a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, with the caskets of his family members who died with him placed underneath.

The outdoor stage was designed to recreate the podium where Khamenei once delivered speeches at the Hosseiniyeh (a Shia religious facility) within his residence in downtown Tehran. That location was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike during the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28, an attack that claimed the lives of Khamenei and several family members.

Large crowds of mourners began gathering at the plaza on the morning of the event, even before the funeral procession arrived.

Ayatollah Khamenei's Funeral [Reuters=Yonhap News]Mourners displayed intense emotions, waving red flags symbolizing revenge and chanting slogans such as "Death to America" and "Revenge, Revenge." Some also chanted "We respond to your call," reaffirming their steadfast loyalty.

Many men expressed their grief by beating their chests in rhythm, in accordance with traditional Shia mourning customs. Event organizers sprayed water and provided cold drinks for the crowds struggling under the midsummer heat.

Tehran citizens displaying 'revenge' signs at the funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei (Tehran=Yonhap News) Reporter Kang Hoon-sang = Iran has begun the funeral rites for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated by Israel. The funeral was held on the 4th (local time) at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, a large prayer venue in the capital city of Tehran. A mourner is seen holding a placard with slogans. [Photo=Yonhap News]

Authorities expect as many as 20 million mourners to gather in Tehran alone.

The funeral proceedings are scheduled to last for six days, concluding on the 9th.

Starting today, general citizens will pay their respects by filing past his casket placed at the Tehran Mosalla over the next two days.

On the 6th, the funeral events will move to the central Iranian religious city of Qom.

The following day, on the 7th, funeral services will be held in Baghdad and Najaf, Iraq, as well as the Shia holy city of Karbala.

The schedule will conclude on the 9th with a burial ceremony at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, a holy Shia city in northeastern Iran and the hometown of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Ayatollah Khamenei died along with his family on February 28, when his residence was targeted by an Israeli airstrike as the war with the U.S. and Israel began.

 Crowds attending the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei [AFP=Yonhap News]Iran was unable to hold the funeral due to the war, but after reaching a ceasefire agreement with the U.S. last month, the service is being held 126 days after his death.

The schedule for Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral was provocatively set to coincide with the U.S. Independence Day, which marks the nation's 250th anniversary.

While Iranian authorities have not officially acknowledged the intention behind the date selection, crowds at the funeral were seen chanting "Death to America!" and carrying large banners reading "Kill Trump."

Tehran citizens attending the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Tehran=Yonhap News) Reporter Kang Hoon-sang = Iran has begun the funeral rites for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated by Israel. The funeral was held on the 4th (local time) at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, a large prayer venue in the capital city of Tehran. Citizens are seen moving to attend the funeral. [Photo=Yonhap News]It remains uncertain whether his son and successor, the current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, will attend the funeral.

He has not made a single public appearance since the war with the U.S. and Israel began.

On the 2nd, the Iranian military warned Israel and the U.S. to "avoid any miscalculations in the coming days."

Tehran citizens heading to the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Tehran=Yonhap News) Reporter Kang Hoon-sang = Iran has begun the funeral rites for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated by Israel. The funeral was held on the 4th (local time) at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, a large prayer venue in the capital city of Tehran. Citizens are seen moving to attend the funeral. [Photo=Yonhap News]