Millions Mourn Ayatollah Ali Khamenei across Iran (Photos)

Millions of mourners flooded the streets of Tehran on Sunday as Iran held the second day of funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose death in a joint U.S.-Israeli air strike has plunged the region into heightened political and military uncertainty.

Crowds packed the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, where Khamenei’s body has been lying in state since Saturday, chanting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans while carrying red banners symbolising revenge in Shia tradition.

Funeral prayers were also held for four members of Khamenei’s family killed in the February 28 strike, including his 14-month-old granddaughter.

Iranian state media said Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani led the prayers attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian, senior military commanders and top government officials.

However, Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, remained absent due to security concerns following reported Israeli threats against him.

The week-long funeral is expected to continue with processions across Tehran before moving to the holy city of Qom.

The bodies will later be taken to the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala before Khamenei is buried in his hometown of Mashhad on Thursday.

The ceremonies have become a powerful display of national unity and political defiance following weeks of conflict that reportedly claimed more than 3,000 lives in Iran.

Red flags bearing the slogan ‘Ya Latharat al-Hussein’ and a newly adopted ‘Ya Latharat al-Khamenei’ were prominently displayed, reflecting calls for retribution against those responsible for the assassination.

Despite the tense atmosphere, U.S. President Donald Trump said neither side would engage in military action during the funeral period and confirmed that diplomatic talks with Iran would resume after the ceremonies conclude.

Meanwhile, Brigadier-General Mohammad Akraminia said Iran’s armed forces were using the ceasefire to strengthen combat readiness, warning that any future attack would receive what he described as a ‘Crushing and decisive response’.

Regional tensions remain high.

Israeli military operations continued in Lebanon and Gaza, where additional casualties were reported, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Israel of undermining recent diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran aimed at reducing hostilities.

Russia also weighed into the crisis, with Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev warning that any escalation could threaten major maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb, two of the world’s most strategically important shipping corridors.

As funeral ceremonies continue, Iran’s leadership is seeking to reassure both domestic and international audiences that the country’s institutions remain stable despite the loss of its most influential political figure.

The massive turnout has underscored Tehran’s determination to project resilience while signalling that the transition to a new era under Mojtaba Khamenei will proceed despite ongoing regional tensions and uncertainty.

Photos