Iran announces three-day farewell for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla Mosque; succession speculation grows around Mojtaba Khamenei.
Officials confirmed that the ceremony will take place at the Imam Khomeini Mosque of Tehran, commonly known as the Grand Mosalla Mosque. (Photo: AP)
Iran has declared a three-day public farewell for its late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed during a joint military operation by the United States and Israel. Authorities confirmed that the mourning ceremonies will begin at 10 pm local time in Tehran, marking one of the most significant public events in the country’s recent history.
State media reported that large crowds are expected to gather in the capital to pay their final respects as the Islamic Republic prepares for a major leadership transition.
Officials confirmed that the ceremony will take place at the Imam Khomeini Mosque of Tehran, commonly known as the Grand Mosalla Mosque. The venue serves as one of Tehran’s largest prayer complexes and regularly hosts Friday prayers and major national events.
According to Iranian reports, the three-day farewell will allow citizens to attend and participate in memorial gatherings. A funeral procession date will be announced separately.
Hojjatoleslam Mahmoudi, head of Iran’s Islamic Propagation Council, said, "The Mosalla (prayer hall) will be receiving visitors and the dear people can attend and take part in the farewell ceremony and mark a strong presence once again."
Authorities expect thousands to attend the ceremonies, given Khamenei’s more than three-decade leadership over the Islamic Republic.
The Grand Mosalla Mosque, also referred to as the Imam Khomeini Mosque, is a partially completed religious complex that has remained under construction for over 30 years. Despite its unfinished structure, it functions as a major venue for weekly Friday prayers, religious commemorations, and large-scale public events.
Apart from its religious role, the complex serves as a community centre and frequently hosts exhibitions, conferences, and national gatherings.
While authorities confirmed that the farewell ceremony will last three days, officials have not yet announced the exact date for the funeral procession. State media indicated that further details would follow.
The ceremony is expected to carry deep political and symbolic importance as Iran navigates both national mourning and uncertainty over its next leadership.
Speculation over succession has intensified in recent hours. Reports suggest that Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, the son of Ali Khamenei, has been selected as his successor.
According to reports, senior officials believe the powerful Assembly of Experts may formally confirm Mojtaba’s appointment soon. However, Iranian authorities have not yet officially announced the name of the next Supreme Leader.
If confirmed, Mojtaba Khamenei’s elevation would mark a historic transition in Iran’s post-revolution leadership and potentially shape the country’s political and foreign policy direction.
Ali Khamenei led Iran for more than three decades, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in the Middle East. His tenure saw major regional conflicts, international sanctions, nuclear negotiations, and shifting global alliances.
The three-day farewell ceremony represents not only a period of national mourning but also a turning point in Iran’s political future. As citizens gather at the Grand Mosalla Mosque, attention now shifts toward the official announcement of Iran’s next Supreme Leader.
For now, the country prepares to bid farewell to a leader who defined an era, while the world watches closely for signs of what comes next.
