Iranian authorities postponed public viewings and funeral proceedings for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday, citing security concerns amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Tehran. The delay came as explosions rocked the Iranian capital for a sixth straight day, with reports of strikes targeting Revolutionary Guard sites and other military installations.
Khamenei, who had ruled Iran for nearly four decades, was killed on February 28 at age 86 during the opening salvos of joint US-Israeli strikes on leadership compounds, nuclear facilities, and missile sites across the country. Iranian state media confirmed his death the following day, declaring a 40-day mourning period and planning a burial at the Imam Reza Shrine in the holy city of Mashhad.
The planned farewell at Tehran's Mossalla prayer grounds, a site linked to the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was set for Wednesday but pushed back due to fears of massive crowds and potential disruptions from the conflict. State media reported unprecedented expected turnout, while Israel's defense minister publicly warned that Khamenei's likely successor would be a target for assassination. Speculation swirled around Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, as a frontrunner, though no official announcement has been made.
Streets in Tehran and other cities saw protests calling for revenge against the US and Israel, with state television airing footage of demonstrators chanting anti-Western slogans. Surviving Iranian leaders vowed defiance, projecting unity despite the leadership vacuum. The US and Israel reported achieving air superiority over Tehran and striking more than 2,000 targets, including over 48 senior Iranian figures.
Casualties from the strikes have surpassed 780, mostly in Tehran and other major cities, according to reports. Iran retaliated with missile launches toward Gulf states and Israel, shaking regional stability. No new date for the funeral has been set, as the conflict showed no signs of abating.
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