The body of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was martyred in US-Israeli strikes, arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex on Friday ahead of his funeral, with authorities expecting millions and a coterie of foreign dignitaries to attend the official ceremony. "The body of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution has arrived at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla," IRNA wrote on Telegram, using the complex's official name.

Pakistan, a key mediator in talks between the United States and Iran on ending the Middle East war, said its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would be at the funeral in Tehran on Saturday. China, Afghanistan and Iran's neighbours in the Caucasus region said they would also be sending representatives. Workers readied Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex, while security teams stopped passing cars and curious bystanders looked on.

"We have planted flowers and watered the shrubs for the farewell ceremony of our martyred guide," said worker Hossein Moghadassi, clad in a hat and a scarf to cover his face as the temperature soared. "People will come from all over Iran. There will be huge crowds." Tehran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had called for a massive turnout at the event as a way to avenge the supreme leader's death in US-Israeli strikes on the first day of the war.

"The nation's call for vengeance must ring in the ears of the whole world," said Ghalibaf, who is also Iran's parliament speaker. Khamenei's funeral, initially delayed at the height of the war, is taking place as Iran and the United States observe a fragile ceasefire after signing a preliminary deal to halt the conflict. Khamenei, a spiritual figure for many Shias, was killed at the age of 86 in strikes on his compound in the centre of the Iranian capital.

He will lie in state for three days at the colossal Grand Mosalla, which has been draped in banners featuring images and quotes of Khamenei. The bodies of his slain relatives will also be presented. The ceremonies are expected to draw between 15 and 20 million mourners, according to officials, which would make it the biggest state funeral in the country's history. Tehran, as well as the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad, which will host later stages of the funeral and burial ceremonies, will observe public holidays while the events are underway.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)