Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Saturday as Iran began public farewell ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with funeral rites expected to continue for several days in Iran, Iraq and elsewhere before his burial in Mashhad.

Large crowds began entering Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla early Saturday after authorities opened several gates ahead of schedule to accommodate mourners who had gathered around the complex overnight.

State media reported that thousands of people, including women, had arrived from across Iran to pay their respects to Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli strike on February 28.

The official ceremony began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by religious elegies and the playing of Iran’s national anthem.

Mourners carrying Iranian flags and portraits of Khamenei chanted slogans expressing support for the late leader and the Islamic Republic’s leadership.

State television showed large crowds filling the sprawling prayer complex and surrounding streets, with many participants dressed in black mourning attire.

Some mourners carried red flags bearing religious slogans associated with calls for justice and revenge.

Banners bearing verses from the Holy Quran and tributes to Khamenei were displayed throughout the venue, while groups from different Iranian provinces and several foreign countries participated in the ceremony.

Authorities implemented extensive security and logistical arrangements for the event, including cooling systems, emergency medical services and expanded public transport access.

Three Tehran metro stations were temporarily opened to facilitate the movement of mourners.

Iranian officials said the funeral ceremonies were being covered by thousands of domestic and international journalists.

According to the official funeral schedule, public mourning ceremonies will continue in Tehran through Sunday, culminating in funeral prayers before a procession through the capital on Monday.

The funeral rites will then move to Qom city on Tuesday, followed by ceremonies in the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday.

Khamenei’s final funeral and burial ceremony is scheduled to take place on Thursday at the Imam Reza shrine in the northeastern city of Mashhad.

On Friday, Iranian officials hosted foreign delegations and dignitaries from across the region and beyond who travelled to Tehran to pay tribute to the late leader.