IRIB President Declares 'Great Khamenei Era'
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Payman Jebeli, announced that the farewell ceremony for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei marks the start of the 'Great Khamenei Era'. Speaking on Saturday morning, Jebeli detailed the extensive media deployment for the event, as reported by Press TV.
'More than 30 mobile units, each equipped with between six and twelve cameras, have been deployed along the route designated for the farewell ceremony,' Jebeli stated.
Funeral Procession Schedule and International Attendance
The principal funeral procession in Tehran is scheduled for July 6, followed by ceremonies in Qom on July 7. Additional funeral rites will take place in the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala on July 8, at the request of Iraqi religious scholars, tribal leaders, political figures, and the general public.
Over 10 million people, including representatives from more than 100 countries, are expected to gather in Tehran for the funeral of the Supreme Leader, who was killed along with family members at the onset of the US-Israel war on Iran, according to Al Jazeera.
Visuals from Tehran's Grand Mosalla
Iran's Embassy in India shared visuals from Tehran's Grand Mosalla, showing large crowds paying final respects to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The embassy tweeted: 'People Gather at Tehran's Grand Mosalla to Bid Farewell to the Martyred Leader of the Revolution. The funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has begun.'
US President Trump's Remarks
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump, delivering remarks at Mount Rushmore, said he will not bomb Iran for a week to allow the funeral. He stated, 'We knocked the hell out of Iran, they're dying to settle. They want to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral because we're nice people.'
State Funeral Services Begin
State funeral services commenced in the prayer hall of Imam Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic in 1979. The funeral procession will leave on July 6. Historical context notes that scores of deaths occurred in stampedes at Khomeini's 1989 funeral, where as many as 10 million people gathered, as per the New York Post.
