Iran is making final logistical and ceremonial preparations for the burial ceremonies of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to reports.
As of Thursday evening, Iranian authorities are making final logistical and ceremonial preparations for the burial of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Mashhad, according to unconfirmed reports. This follows a day of funeral processions and ceremonies that began in the early hours of Thursday.
At 00:36 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that a plane carrying Khamenei's body had landed in Mashhad, escorted by Iranian fighter jets, with IRGC Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani accompanying the coffin. The funeral then commenced in Mashhad, with fighter jets overhead and Iranian aircraft deployed to secure the area. Reports emerged of explosions, and senior Iranian officials – including Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Supreme Leader's advisor Mohammad Mokhber, and Ayatollah Hassan Khomeini – attended the burial ceremony amid those explosions. At the same time, preparations were reported at the burial site within the shrine. An article published at 08:35 Jerusalem later confirmed that final preparations were underway.
The Zioneer has previously reported that preparations for Khamenei's funeral began months ago, with Tehran completing arrangements for a massive funeral four months after the strike that killed him. Millions of mourners were expected from Tehran alone, and foreign delegations arrived in the capital.
The precise timing of the burial remains unconfirmed by official sources. The security situation around the mass gathering remains tense, following reports of explosions earlier in the day.
18 developments
- DevelopingHamas delegation attends Khamenei's funeral in Tehran
- StrongIranian media: Khamenei funeral ceremony to be held in Qom on Tuesday
- StrongFuneral organizer says Khamenei's hearse ready, procession route set for Monday
- DevelopingChananel Aviv reports Shiite pro-Iran supporters hold Khamenei funeral in Nigeria
Source and signal
- Internal intake