Iranian authorities have begun preparations for the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 on the first day of US-Iranian strikes on Iran, state television reported tonight, noting that no exact date has been set for now.
The funeral was originally scheduled for early March, but was postponed indefinitely.
“A special general staff has been formed to prepare for the ceremony” and various organizations have been mobilized, Irib television channel reported, citing Mohsen Mahmoudi, the director of Tehran’s Islamic Coordination Council, which is in charge of organizing the funeral.
Although no date has been set, Mahmoudi spoke of a “grand (ceremony) in the presence of a large audience.”
Ali Khamenei, 86, was head of the Islamic Republic for more than 36 years. His son, Mojtaba, who succeeded him in early March, has not been seen in public since. He was wounded in the bombings and speaks only by text message.
Thousands of Iranians paid tribute to Ali Khamenei in April, 40 days after his death, as custom dictates. But his funeral was never held, despite a ceasefire that went into effect on April 8.
