Thousands of mourners filled the Grand Mosalla mosque in central Tehran as funeral processions for former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei officially commenced, according to The Guardian.
The massive six-day event marks the end of Khamenei's 37-year reign after he was killed in February by an airstrike launched by the United States and Israel.
Crowds packed the surrounding streets early Saturday, carrying flags to express national grief and defiance. Organizers expect up to 30 million people to participate in the delayed services.
Khamenei was assassinated by Israeli jet planes.
The raised stage displaying his coffin also held other family members killed in the attack, including his 14-month-old granddaughter.
Following requests from Iraqi politicians, the body of the supreme leader will also be transported through the Iraqi Shia cities of Karbala and Najaf during the mourning period.
To prevent dangerous overcrowding, official personnel directed attendees to limit their time inside the mosque grounds, where men and women remained segregated during the services.
Yellow Hezbollah banners and Iranian flags lined the surrounding roadways alongside large banners proclaiming the late leader's historical significance and martyrdom.
Numerous food stations provided free provisions and water to mourners, while nearby stands featured school students offering photos alongside images of Mojtaba Khamenei, the new supreme leader.
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The younger Khamenei sustained severe injuries during the same February 28 US-Israeli strike on a government residence in Tehran, which occurred shortly after 8 a.
