Funeral prayers were held in Tehran today (Sunday) for the body of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, on the second day of his funeral ceremonies, which were attended by large crowds, in the absence of his son, the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared since assuming the position after his father.

The Sunday prayer was led by Ja'far Sobhani, 97 years old.

In the front row near the coffin appeared a number of senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and General Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to the French Press Agency.

Also participating in the prayer were three of the late leader's sons, Masoud, Mostafa, and Meitham, according to footage broadcast by state television.

Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ahmad Vahidi participates in the funeral prayer for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (EPA)

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was injured in the attack that killed his father on February 28, and since then only written statements attributed to him have been issued.

Flags symbolizing revenge... and expectations of millions in attendance. The prayer site and surrounding streets were crowded with crowds, and among the masses were raised Iranian flags and red flags symbolizing revenge, and some participants carried pictures of Khamenei. Along the way, refreshments were distributed to attendees, as temperatures are expected to again exceed 35 degrees Celsius during the day.

The body is scheduled to remain on display until this evening (Sunday), before being prepared for the funeral procession scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) in the streets of the capital.

Part of the funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his family members in Tehran (AP)

Authorities declared Sunday and Monday as official holidays, and say they expect between 15 million and 20 million people to attend in Tehran alone.

After Monday's procession in Tehran, the coffin is scheduled to stop in several cities in Iran and Iraq, with burial ceremonies to be held on Thursday in the city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran, the birthplace of Ali Khamenei.

Political attendance. Alongside the popular crowds, a large number of Iranian and foreign officials paid tribute to Khamenei's body on Friday. Among the foreign delegations also participating were two delegations from Lebanon's Hezbollah and the Hamas movement.

The funeral of Ali Khamenei had been scheduled for March, but was postponed due to the war. The funeral comes at a pivotal stage for Iran's leadership, which wants to show a scene reflecting its cohesion and the resilience of its popular base after harsh challenges represented by the twelve-day war with Israel in June 2025, the popular protests in early 2026, and then the US-Israeli war that is currently witnessing a ceasefire.

To receive Iranians coming from various parts of the country, more than 400 tents belonging to the Iranian Red Crescent were set up in one of the capital's major parks, according to AFP correspondents.

The coffin of Khamenei, on which his black turban was placed, was displayed, next to the coffins of four of his family members who were killed with him on February 28, with the beginning of the war.