Iran on Friday began preparations for the multi-day funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with banners displayed across Tehran calling on citizens to rally behind the Islamic Republic following the devastating war that claimed the 86-year-old cleric’s life.
Across several Iranian cities, crowds gathered for nighttime demonstrations, with state television broadcasting scenes of participants chanting slogans in support of the country’s theocratic leadership and condemning the United States and Israel.
Authorities are expecting millions of people to line the streets of the capital from Saturday for the funeral procession, in what is anticipated to mirror the massive turnout seen during the 1989 burial of Ruhollah Khomeini.
Such a turnout could strengthen the Iranian government’s position as it seeks to use its control of the Strait of Hormuz in negotiations with the United States over a lasting end to the conflict, while concerns remain that Israel could launch another military strike.
Despite those concerns, a senior general commanding Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps made his first public appearance in months during the funeral ceremonies. Other top government officials, along with foreign dignitaries, are also expected to attend in what is seen as a display of Iran’s political and military resilience.
“As long as these people, who are chosen (by God), are on the field, we will definitely continue the same ‘no to humiliation’ policy that was founded by the Islamic Republic,” said Mohammad Hossein Rezaei, a volunteer preparing for the funeral Friday.
“We will continue our policy of pursuing independence, and decisions will be made inside the country, and the people will decide their own fate,” he said.
