THE long-anticipated funeral ceremony of Ali Khamenei has begun four months after the tyrant was assassinated in joint US-Israeli strikes.
More than 20 million people are expected to travel to the capital Tehran as the funeral gets into full swing this weekend.
The funeral of Ali Khamenei will go ahead this weekend in Tehran Credit: AFP
Around 20 million people are expected to attend Credit: Reuters
The Ayatollah’s body was found in a pile of rubble after back in February.
His inglorious death came on the first day of the war after repeatedly warned Khamenei to strike a deal over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
However, the president’s patience eventually ran out as he pulled the trigger on an almighty blitz.
The aging Ayatollah, 86, was reportedly holding talks with his inner circle when the US and Israel unleashed a wave of strikes in the early hours of February 28.
The Ayatollah’s compound was badly damaged during a blitz in February Credit: Airbus
Black smoke plumes from the city centre compound Credit: Reuters
Khamenei was reportedly killed in the “” of the mammoth blitz alongside his daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law and son-in-law.
It is thought as many as 40 other top Iranian commanders were wiped out in the devastating operation.
They included Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh, Revolutionary Guards Commander Mohammed Pakpour, National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani and Supreme Leader Military Secretary Mohammad Shirazi.
Extraordinary footage now shows dozens of regime loyalists gathered around his casket in Tehran as the rogue nation prepares to say goodbye to the man who led the country for over three decades.
The vast state-organised funeral can only be held now a peace deal with the US is in place, and it will be held at the capital’s Mosalla prayer grounds.
Coinciding with July 4 celebrations in the US, the ceremonies will begin on Saturday.
The grieving public will be able to walk by the body and view it over two days.
Ceremonies will then move to Qom, Iraq, and finally Mashhad, where Khamenei will be buried at the shrine of Iman Reza.
The funeral procession will coincide with July 4 celebrations in the US Credit: Reuters
Khamenei will then be laid to rest at the shrine of Iman Reza Credit: Reuters
It is not known if Mojtaba Khamenei – the reclusive cleric chosen to succeed his father – will be in attendance.
Becoming Supreme Leader in 1989, Khamenei held ultimate authority over the country’s military, judiciary and key state institutions.
He steadily centralised during his rule of terror, strengthening the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
His leadership was marked by repeated crackdowns on anti-government protests and growing restrictions on dissent.
Khamenei also oversaw ‘s confrontational foreign policy, including tensions with the US and Israel, support for regional proxy groups, and the country’s disputed nuclear programme.
In the aftermath of his assassination, Trump declared: “One of the most evil people in history is dead.”
In a historic message, the president said: “This is not only justice for the people, but for all Great Americans.”
The US and Israel were only able to carry out this high-stakes mission after following the dictator’s every move for months.
Who was Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
- Ali Khamenei is an Iranian cleric and politician who became Iran’s Supreme Leader in 1989, succeeding Ruhollah Khomeini.
- He was born on April 19, 1939, in Mashhad to a religious family, and studied Islamic theology from a young age.
- As a young cleric, Khamenei became involved in opposition to the rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
- He played an active role in the Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the Shah and established the Islamic Republic.
- Khamenei served as Iran’s president from 1981 to 1989, during a turbulent period that included the Iran–Iraq War.
- In June 1981, he survived an assassination attempt when a bomb hidden inside a tape recorder exploded, leaving his right arm permanently disabled.
- After Khomeini’s death in 1989, Khamenei was elected Supreme Leader.
- During more than three decades in power, he oversaw Iran’s nuclear programme, expanded the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and maintained a confrontational stance toward the US and Israel.
The plan was to take Khamenei out at night, under the cover of darkness.
But when the CIA learnt that the Ayatollah would chair a meeting of top Iranian officials at a leadership compound in the heart of Tehran, they knew it was time to strike.
Mossad agents had also discovered Iran’s senior leadership were due to meet at 9am local time.
A barrage of missiles then swiftly reduced Khamenei’s compound to a blackened crater as labelled the assassination a “cynical” murder.
also blasted Trump’s operation Epic Fury as an “illegal act of aggression”.
The rogue state’s foreign ministry claimed it showed Washington’s “gangster-like” nature.
Iran responded in-kind by carrying out sweeping strikes on US bases in the Middle East, and Gulf nations including Israel, Dubai and Bahrain.
Thousands of holidaymakers and expats in Dubai were left fearing for their lives as Iranian exploded overhead.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has existed since 1979.
Trump said: “For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted ‘Death to America’ and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed.
“It’s been mass terror, and we’re not going to put up with it any longer.
“Iran is the world’s No 1 state sponsor of terror and just recently killed tens of thousands of its citizens on the street as they protested.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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