Thousands of Iranians gather to pay respects to former Supreme Leader

Thousands Gather in Iran to Honor Late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

A nationwide commemoration was held in Iran on Thursday, with thousands of people gathering to pay tribute to former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The event took place at 9:40am local time, coinciding with the exact moment of his death on February 28 at his Tehran residence.

The memorial rallies were broadcast live on state television, showing participants carrying portraits of the late leader in various cities across Iran, including Urmia, Gorgan, and the capital city of Tehran. The commemoration marked a significant event in the country’s history, as it came ahead of the formal state funeral that has yet to be held due to the ongoing conflict.

Ali Khamenei served as Supreme Leader for nearly 40 years before his death. His successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, remained out of public view since the start of the war and was not expected to attend the commemorative events. The nationwide tribute was a testament to the enduring legacy of the late leader.

The event took place in the midst of an ongoing conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran’s territory. Since then, Iran has responded by targeting US assets and allies across the Gulf and launching strikes against Israel.

Source: Al Jazeera