Millions of mourners lined the streets of Tehran on Monday as the funeral procession for the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei moved through the capital in what Iranian officials described as the largest public gathering in the country’s modern history.

The procession began in the morning and saw crowds gather along a 10-kilometre route stretching from Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex to Azadi Square.

Organisers said the funeral ceremonies were expected to continue for up to 12 hours.

The funeral convoy also carried the flag-draped coffins of several members of Ayatollah Khamenei’s family who were killed alongside the late leader during the joint US-Israel strikes.

Dressed in black and beating their chests in mourning, mourners packed major streets and squares across the capital, waving Iranian flags and carrying portraits of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Crowds also chanted slogans expressing support for Iran’s resistance movement and calling for revenge for the martyred leader’s blood.

The procession passed through several of Tehran’s main thoroughfares and landmarks, including Damavand Street, Imam Hossein Square, Enqelab Street and Square, Azadi Street and Azadi Square, before continuing towards the area near Mehrabad Airport.

On Sunday, Grand Ayatollah Ja’afar Sobhani led funeral prayers for Ayatollah Khamenei and several members of his family, including his son-in-law Dr Mesbah-ul-Hoda Bagheri-Kani, his daughter-in-law Zahra Haddad-Adel, his 14-month-old granddaughter Zahra Mohammadi-Golpayegani, and his daughter Seyyedeh Boshra Hosseini-Khamenei.

According to organisers, funeral ceremonies will continue on Tuesday in the holy city of Qom, followed by commemorative events on Wednesday in the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala.

The final funeral rites and burial ceremony are scheduled to take place on Thursday in the northeastern city of Mashhad, where Ayatollah Khamenei will be laid to rest at the Imam Reza Shrine, in accordance with his final wishes.