On Saturday morning, public mourning ceremonies began in Iran for the late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. These ceremonies, deeply rooted in Shiite Islamic tradition, are expected to attract tens of millions of mourners. A weeklong procession will trace a significant path across Iran, extending into neighboring Iraq.

As per Iranian state media, Ayatollah Khamenei’s body will be moved through at least five cities. This journey starts during the weekend in Tehran, the nation’s capital, and concludes on Thursday in Mashhad, Iran’s holiest city and the birthplace of Khamenei. The procession will pass by several sacred shrines important to Shiite Islam.

The mourning period commenced on Friday. Foreign dignitaries visited the Grand Mosalla in Tehran, where Khamenei’s body lies in state. This large prayer venue also served as the location for many of his important speeches during his tenure as Iran’s supreme leader. Ayatollah Khamenei died on February 28 at the initiation of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. His funeral was postponed due to the continuing hostilities.

Under Iran’s theocratic rule, Khamenei held ultimate authority over government branches, also serving as the highest clerical figure. Many Shiite followers in Iran and the region regarded him as a spiritual leader, his death carrying profound religious significance.

The series of funerary rituals presents a significant challenge for Iran’s leadership. These events unfold as the country remains entangled in an unresolved conflict with the United States, amid intense summer heat.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son and designated successor, remains absent from the public eye. He suffered injuries from an airstrike coinciding with his father’s death and has not participated in public events since.