Intensive preparations and security measures took place on Friday for late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s massive funeral, as foreign officials and delegations began arriving in the country from dozens of nations to pay their respects.
The heightened security measures, including airspace restrictions and mass deployment of security forces, began this week and extended into Friday.
via AFPThe event is being described as a "multi-city" funeral that will span several parts of Iran, including Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad.
According to authorities, more than 10 million citizens are expected to gather in Tehran alone, with millions more expected to take part in ceremonies in the cities of Mashhad and Qom.
Large-scale commemorations and ceremonies are also set to take place in Iraq, where the late Iranian leader was also revered. Tehran has coordinated these matters with authorities in Baghdad.
The late supreme leader’s coffin arrived at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran on Friday.
Iranian authorities are finalizing major security and logistical arrangements ahead of a multi-day state funeral for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, following his assassination in a US-Israeli attack on 28 February.
