Mashhad opens eternal embrace to Martyr Khamenei
Millions of Iranians on Thursday paid their final respects as martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was laid to rest after days of nationwide mourning.
The burial ceremony took place at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH) in the northern city of Mashhad late on Thursday.
The funeral prayer over his body was held followed by a private farewell ceremony for the family of the martyred Leader and four members of his family, who were assassinated in a US-Israeli airstrike in February.
On Thursday morning, the final funeral procession in Mashhad saw an endless sea of mourners accompany the vehicle carrying the blessed bodies through the streets of the city.
The prayer for the deceased was led by the martyred leader's eldest son, Seyyed Mostafa Khamenei, who performed the ritual prayers over the bodies.
The funeral ceremonies began last Friday with tributes from political officials from over 45 countries and scholars from more than 90 nations.
This was followed by farewell ceremonies at Tehran's Grand Mosalla over the weekend, where hundreds of thousands paid their respects.
On Monday, the bodies were carried through Tehran with similarly massive participation, and on Tuesday, ceremonies were held in Qom and at the Jamkaran Mosque.
The remarkable participation continued internationally, with about 10 million Iraqis gathering in Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday to pay their respects.
Iraqi officials confirmed it as one of the largest funeral gatherings in recent history, with tribal groups accompanying the funeral convoy for miles.
Mourners from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Turkey, and Nigeria crossed geographical boundaries to participate in the historic farewell.
Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, the leader of the Nigerian Islamic Movement, was also present among the mourners, underscoring the global resonance of the martyred leader's message of resistance against oppression.
Mourners carried banners condemning US President Donald Trump and chanting slogans demanding vengeance, with chants of "Revenge! Revenge!" echoing through the streets.
Ayatollah Khamenei was assassinated alongside several members of his family on February 28, the opening day of the 40-day war of aggression launched by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran.
Among those martyred were the new Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei’s wife, the late leader's son-in-law, a daughter, and his 14-month-old granddaughter.