Thousands of Iranians on Thursday gathered across the country to honour the late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who led the nation for nearly four decades until he was killed in joint U.S.–Israeli strikes at the onset of the Middle East conflict.
His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has since succeeded him. However, he has not appeared in public since before the war, and his presence at the nationwide commemorations was considered unlikely.
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Footage aired on state television showed large crowds participating in rallies, many carrying portraits of the late leader. Demonstrations were reported in cities including Urmia, Gorgan, and the capital, Tehran.
The nationwide tribute commenced at 9:40 a.m. (0610 GMT), marking the exact time Khamenei was killed on February 28 at his residence in Tehran, alongside several high-ranking Iranian officials.
The strike triggered a broader regional conflict, as Iran retaliated against U.S. interests in the Gulf and launched attacks on Israel.
Due to the ongoing war, a formal state funeral for the late leader has yet to be held.
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