Day 127 of US-Israel War on Iran: Tehran Begins Dayslong Funeral for Supreme Leader Khamenei Killed in War

Iran on Saturday (July 4) has begun its dayslong funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, months after an airstrike by US and Israeli forces killed him on February 28. Khamenei's body will be on display at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran till Sunday (July 5), after which it will be paraded through the capital's streets before being taken to Qom on Tuesday (July 7) to be honoured. The funeral procession will continue to Karbala, Iraq, the home of Imam Hussein's shrine, on Wednesday (July 8) and will finally reach Marshhad in Iran. Khamenei will be buried here at the Imam Reza shrine.

On June 6, 1989, millions of Iranians flooded the streets to bury the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Similarly, the government expects to see millions taking to the streets to remember and mourn Khamenei in the coming days, as thousands of mourners gather outside the Grand Mosalla before the beginning of the funeral ceremonies, holding red banners, typically signifying revenge.

The start of the funeral coincides with the 250th anniversary of the creation of the United States and follows recent crossfire between US and Iran, despite the interim deal reached in June.

Meanwhile, as the West Asia war enters its 127th day, Iran's joint military command has issued a statement warning all oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz of using the approved routes, lest they wish to face a "forceful response."

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