Tehran Swells with Mourning as Khamenei Funeral Kicks Off

Thousands of mourners in black gathered at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on the first day of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral, with his body lying in state and a multi‑day procession planned from Tehran to Mashhad through Qom, Najaf and Karbala. Iran expects 15–20 million attendees across the country and neighbouring Iraq, as chants against the US and vows of vigilante retaliation accompany the sombre proceedings following his death in February strikes.