Iran has postponed a state funeral for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that had been scheduled for Wednesday evening in Tehran, citing expectations of an exceptionally large public turnout, state television reported.
"The farewell ceremony for the martyred Imam has been postponed. The new date will be announced later," Iran's local media reported, as cited by AFP.
Earlier in the day, authorities had announced that a tribute ceremony would be held in the capital before Khamenei’s body was transported to the holy city of Mashhad, his birthplace, for burial. The 86-year-old cleric was killed over the weekend in joint US-Israeli strikes.
Tehran has faced sustained bombardment since Saturday, with missiles striking military and government sites. Officials did not directly connect the postponement to the security situation.
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Mohsen Mahmoudi, head of Tehran’s Islamic Development Coordination Council, which is overseeing the arrangements, said the delay was due in part to the anticipated participation of millions and the logistical preparations required to accommodate such crowds.
