Iran has commenced a seven-day state funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose 37-year rule ended recently. The ceremonies began with Khamenei's body lying in state in a vast hall in Tehran, where scholars, officials, foreign dignitaries, and mourners paid their respects.
Foreign delegations from over 100 countries have arrived to attend the funeral under a tense ceasefire. According to Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed, “Today was allocated for special dignitaries, from around 100 countries who have been invited to attend this ceremony, including presidents of states, prime ministers, speakers of parliament, and other dignitaries.”
Families of victims, particularly those who lost loved ones during the war and in the 12-day conflict last June, participated in a farewell ceremony held the previous night. General Ahmad Vahidi, the newly appointed commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), made his first public appearance since February 8, sitting beside Khamenei’s coffin.
The funeral procession is set to continue through Tehran and Qom before briefly moving into Iraq on July 8.
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