Iranian authorities imposed extensive security measures on July 6, including the closure of Tehran’s airspace, as public funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei moved from the capital to the holy city of Qom.
A procession across Tehran lasted some 12 hours before further ceremonies were to be held in Qom and Iraq’s Shi’ite holy cities, culminating in Khamenei’s burial in Mashhad on July 9. Temporary, localized flight restrictions will also be in place from July 7 until his burial two days later.
The body of the late supreme leader arrived in Qom late on July 6, according to state TV, which broadcast videos showing helicopters transporting his body landing in the city of 1.2 million people.
Earlier, with officials preparing for a turnout reminiscent of the 1989 funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, state media showed large crowds accompanying Khamenei’s coffin through the capital after two days of lying in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla prayer complex.
The official IRNA news agency claimed several million people were taking part but did not give an exact number.
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Organizers also appeared intent on avoiding a repeat of a deadly crush that marred Khomeini’s funeral, during which crowd surges killed more than 10 people and injured over 10,000.
Massive concrete barriers were erected around Khamenei’s coffin during the initial ceremonies, reflecting heightened concern over crowd control. The ceremonies appeared to proceed without major incidents.
The ceremonies are being presented by Iran’s leadership as a display of continuity and resilience following the five-week conflict with Israel and the United States that began with Khamenei’s killing during US-Israeli air strikes on February 28.
Officials have repeatedly portrayed the turnout as evidence of national unity despite the war, and the ceremonies come after massive anti-government protests earlier this year that ended in a brutal clampdown.
