Explained: Where was Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s body till now and why was his funeral ceremony delayed?

Few historical events have been organised on such a scale, size, and significance as the mass funeral that Iran’s regime is planning to hold for the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He was killed in the United States-Israeli joint strike at the beginning of the war on February 28. According to media reports, Khamenei’s remains arrived for the huge ceremonies prepared in at least five cities across Iran and Iraq, starting July 2. 

The Saturday funeral is likely to draw millions of people, including a coterie of foreign dignitaries, government officials said. Meanwhile, photos posted by Iranian media and international agencies showed mourners carrying the coffin of the late Supreme Leader, emblazoned with the country’s tricolour flag, into the Grand Mosalla, a major ceremonial venue of the Islamic Republic.

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Crowds at a pre-funeral ceremony were clad in black

Other photos showed crowds gathered at a pre-funeral ceremony dressed in black as the coffin was placed against a backdrop of flowers and butterflies hanging in the air. Arrangements for Khamenei’s public funeral, delayed at the peak of the war, are being held in Tehran, with large-scale processions scheduled next week in Qom and Mashhad and ceremonies in Iraq. The events came as Tehran and the US observed a fragile ceasefire following a preliminary agreement to halt the conflict.

Who is expected to attend Khamenei’s funeral?

Pakistan, a key mediator in the US-Iran talks, said its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would attend the funeral ceremony of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, Bihar governor Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita will represent India at the ceremony. Afghanistan, China, and Iran’s neighbours in the Caucasus region also announced plans to send representatives, reports added.

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Khamenei (86), a spiritual figure for many Shias, was assassinated in US-Israeli strikes on his compound in Tehran. He will lie in state for 3 days at the colossal Grand Mosalla, which is adorned with banners featuring quotes of Khamenei. The bodies of his dead relatives will also be presented at the funeral, making it the biggest state funeral ever held in the country.

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