Images released by Iranian media today showed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Ahmad Vahidi placing his hand on the coffin of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei and praying during the funeral in the capital, Tehran.

Vahidi, one of Iran's most powerful figures, had not appeared publicly since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28/2, reportedly to avoid assassination.

Ahmad Vahidi placing his hand on the coffin of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the funeral in Tehran on 3/7. Photo: Fars

Ahmad Vahidi placing his hand on the coffin of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the funeral in Tehran on 3/7. Photo: Fars

Ali Khamenei died on the first day of US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Vahidi's predecessor, General Mohammad Pakpour, also died in this airstrike.

Following a ceasefire agreement with the US, Iranian officials are preparing a national mourning period and burial ceremonies for Ali Khamenei. Many foreign leaders, including representatives from Russia and China, are expected to attend the memorial service and offer condolences on 3/7.

The next day, Ali Khamenei's coffin will be taken to a mosque in Tehran, the first stop on a nationwide journey of national mourning. The coffins of his daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and the wife of the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, all of whom died in the same airstrike, will also be transported.

Large funeral processions are expected next week in Qom and Mashhad, along with memorial ceremonies in Iraq.

The government anticipates millions of supporters will flock to cities across Iran to participate in the memorial services. They have arranged transportation, accommodation, and food to facilitate public attendance.

Crowds at the funeral of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on 3/7. Video: MinotorX

Security will be tightened throughout the national mourning period. Airspace will be temporarily restricted in Tehran and other cities. Iranian officials have also warned of strong retaliation if the US or Israel resume attacks.

"We are demonstrating our strength to the US and other countries in our own way", said Hossein Kheiri, 63 years old, a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war during the 1980-1988 period, standing beneath a poster of Ali Khamenei in Tehran.

The death of Ali Khamenei and the succession of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as Iran's third Supreme Leader, is considered a pivotal moment in the nation's history. Mojtaba, who was severely injured in the airstrike that killed his father, has not appeared publicly since the conflict began.

By Huyen Le (AFP, Reuters)