In Tehran, preparations are underway for the funeral procession of the late supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. With significant crowds anticipated, authorities are keen to ensure that the event unfolds smoothly, learning from the chaos that marred his predecessor’s farewell.
Anticipating a Historic Turnout
The funeral is set to take place after Khamenei has been lying in state at the Grand Mosalla religious complex for two days. The procession, anticipated to last between 10 to 12 hours starting at 6:00 AM, will take mourners through the streets of Tehran. In 1989, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s funeral drew an estimated 10 million attendees. Unfortunately, that event witnessed tragic crowd surges resulting in multiple fatalities and thousands of injuries.
Already, the Grand Mosalla has seen thousands of mourners paying their respects to Khamenei and four family members who perished in Israeli airstrikes on February 28. Authorities have implemented security measures, including massive concrete barriers, to prevent stampedes during the gathering.
Lessons from the Past
The past funeral drew lessons that are very much in the minds of the current organizers. Egyptian authorities found themselves in a chaotic situation when mourners rushed to the vehicle transporting Khomeini, which necessitated a helicopter to complete the burial. It remains uncertain how freely the public will be allowed near the procession route, but organizers aim to avoid any disorder this time around.
This series of funerals serves not just to pay respects to Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for over three decades, but it also serves as a display of power and resilience from the Iranian authorities amid an ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.
The Family’s Absence and Political Landscape
Significantly notable is the absence of Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali’s son, who has reportedly been injured in the airstrikes but has yet to be seen publicly. His brothers participated in the ceremonies, underscoring concerns about his health and future role. In the meantime, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s speaker of parliament, commended the nation’s resilience in the face of tragedy, noting that the tribute points to a unified Iran continuing its journey post-Khamenei.
Public sentiment during these ceremonies is rife with calls for vengeance against Khamenei’s killers, emphasizing the mounting anger directed toward the United States and Israel. “The killers must face punishment,” remarked a family member at the gatherings.
Demand for Revenge and Broader Resilience
Amid this backdrop of grief, there is an underlying urgency for the government to highlight mass support for its actions, particularly following the public unrest experienced earlier in the year. Khamenei had long promoted a confrontational stance against Western powers, bolstering support for anti-U.S. and anti-Israel groups across the region.
With hostilities seemingly paused due to a ceasefire agreement with the U.S., Iranian leadership is determined to keep the narrative of vengeance alive among its populace. As mourners unite in the call for revenge, the memory of Khamenei’s hardline policies and interactions with militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah come to the forefront, reminding everyone of the significant geopolitical stakes in this evolving landscape.