Farewell ceremonies for Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have commenced in the capital Tehran.
According to Iran's state media, the farewell ceremony is being held in Tehran with the participation of thousands of people. Under the official programme, a formal commemoration ceremony is scheduled for July 3 in Tehran, attended by state and government officials, high-level guests from foreign countries, as well as religious leaders. The farewell ceremonies will continue in Tehran on July 4 and 5, while the main funeral procession in the capital is set to take place on July 6.
The ceremonies will subsequently continue in the city of Qom, as well as in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad, Najaf and Karbala. It has been announced that Ali Khamenei will be buried on July 9 at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.
According to Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of state and government from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the farewell and burial ceremonies.