**Iran Begins Public Mourning for Ayatollah Khamenei Following His Death**
Iran has commenced several days of public mourning for its former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in February during strikes attributed to the United States and Israel. The mourning period includes funeral processions and ceremonies that are expected to draw millions of mourners from across the country.
Starting Friday, Khamenei's body will lie in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla, where it will remain for three days. The public will have the opportunity to pay their respects before the body is transported to his hometown of Mashhad for burial next Thursday. Reports suggest that officials anticipate as many as 20 million people may participate in the mourning events.
In addition to Khamenei, the remains of family members who also lost their lives in the February strikes will be present at the Grand Mosalla. An official funeral ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, which is expected to attract significant attention both domestically and internationally.
To facilitate the mourning process, Iranian authorities have announced the closure of public and private offices in Tehran from Saturday through Monday. Traffic restrictions will be implemented to limit vehicle access in the city center, and partial airspace closures over Tehran will begin on Friday, with a complete closure on Monday.
Following the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei's body will be taken to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq before its final burial in Mashhad. The events are expected to draw representatives from various countries, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is anticipated to attend the ceremonies.
Khamenei's death marks a significant transition in Iran's leadership. He has been succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not yet made a public appearance since assuming the role of supreme leader. This change in leadership occurs amidst a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States, which was established following a preliminary agreement to halt hostilities in June.
As the mourning period unfolds, the Iranian government is likely to navigate the complexities of public sentiment and international relations in the wake of Khamenei's death. The ceremonies are expected to be a poignant reflection of his legacy and the political landscape in Iran.