Huge crowd joins funeral procession for Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei

Enormous crowds gather in Tehran for third day to mourn as authorities and Khamenei’s supporters call for revenge against the US and Israel.The funeral procession for Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is under way in Tehran as authorities have hailed the government’s resilience during the United States-Israel war on Iran and promised vengeance for his assassination.After lying in state for two days at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex, Khamenei’s body began a 12-hour journey on Monday through the capital, accompanied by large crowds of mourners.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3What is the religious and political messaging behind Khamenei’s funeral?list 2 of 3Photos: Millions mourn Iran’s Ali Khamenei amid historic funeral processionlist 3 of 3Iran promotes message of continuity and revenge at Khamenei commemorationend of listKhamenei, 86, was killed in an air strike on February 28, the first day of the war, after ruling Iran for nearly 37 years.Mourners gathered in Imam Hussein Square in eastern Tehran and hanged an effigy of US President Donald Trump, according to state media.Others carried placards with images of US Vice President JD Vance, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the words: “There will be blood.”Thousands filled the Grand Mosalla on Sunday to pay their respects to Khamenei. The other remains on display were Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and 14-month-old granddaughter who were all killed alongside him.As well as laying Khamenei to rest, Iran’s authorities are using the weeklong funeral ceremonies to promote their resilience during a ceasefire with the US.Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator with the US, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, hailed on social media the way the “proud and invincible nation of Islamic Iran unanimously” paid tribute to its “martyr”.Monday’s procession will be followed by similar events in the clerical hub of Qom on Tuesday and in Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday, culminating in Khamenei’s burial in his hometown of Mashhad in northeastern Iran on Thursday.