Tehran has come to a near standstill this week as Iran carries out large scale public commemorations for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The message from authorities is clear, continuity for the Islamic Republic, and vengeance for his killing.
Khamenei, 86, was killed in an airstrike on February 28, right at the start of the war between Iran and both the United States and Israel. He had ruled Iran with near absolute power for nearly 37 years before his death.
The symbolism on display
Red flags have become a defining image of the mourning period. In Shia Islam, red carries dual meaning, it represents martyrdom, but it is also seen as a symbol of revenge. These flags were visible throughout the Grand Mosalla commemoration site in Tehran, along with other mass gathering points across the city.
The official slogan chosen for the ceremonies is We must rise. It appears alongside an image of Khamenei’s clenched fist set against a red and black background.
Chants of death to America and Israel
State media circulated videos showing crowds chanting Death to America and Death to Israel at several metro stations across the city, reflecting the anger driving much of the public sentiment during this mourning period.
Security remains extremely tight throughout Tehran. Armoured vehicles, heavy machine guns, and snipers are visible around the areas surrounding the farewell ceremonies.
Entry into the Mosalla site comes with strict checks. Men were physically searched before entering, and security confiscated electronic devices from mourners, including power banks, earphones, and lighters.
Mojtaba Khamenei stays away
Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since taking office, will not be attending his father’s funeral. Authorities cited security concerns as the reason for his absence.
State affiliated newspapers and television outlets have reported that Khamenei’s killing appears to have rallied supporters of the Islamic Republic government. This government has held power since the 1979 revolution that overthrew Iran’s last shah, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi.
Authorities are anticipating turnout on a scale similar to the 1989 funeral of Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. That funeral saw at least eight mourners die due to overwhelming crowds, which forced the military to evacuate Khomeini’s body by helicopter at the time.
Mokebs set up across the city
Thousands of mokebs, temporary religious service stations, have been set up throughout Tehran. These stations play Islamic Shia chants and rhythmic eulogies dedicated to Khamenei.
Volunteers at these stations have been handing out flags, banners, and images to the crowds. With temperatures climbing to 36 degrees Celsius, some mokebs came equipped with large cooling fans, while volunteers distributed free drinks to help mourners cope with the heat.
Emergency services have been stationed throughout the area to respond to any health issues linked to the crowds or the heat. So far, authorities have reported no security incidents or medical emergencies during the proceedings.
Large sections of the city have been cordoned off with barriers, and non official vehicles are barred from entering or leaving these areas. In fact, the entire country of Iran has been effectively shut down until the end of Monday, an apparent move designed to encourage maximum public participation. Officials expect around 10 million Iranians to take part in the proceedings nationwide.
Some Iranians choose to leave the city
Not everyone is staying in Tehran for the commemorations. Some residents have used the public holiday as an opportunity to escape both the crowds and the heat, heading toward the cooler northern provinces along the Caspian Sea, something many Iranians typically do during multi day public events in the capital.
This has led to long traffic lines forming on the Tehran Shomal Freeway, with travelers reportedly stuck in jams for hours as they made their way north.