Mojtaba Khamenei's absence draws attention as Iran bids farewell to Ali KhameneiThe absence of Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei from the funeral of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, drew attention on Friday as the country's political and military leadership gathered to pay their respects.Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes that triggered the recent Middle East conflict, lay in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla ahead of funeral ceremonies expected to draw millions.Foreign dignitaries are also expected to attend the official funeral ceremony on Saturday. Ahead of the event, Iran's chief negotiator called for a large public turnout, saying it would be a way to avenge Khamenei's death.Images from Tehran showed mourners carrying Khamenei's coffin, draped in Iran's tricolour flag, into the Grand Mosalla. At a pre-funeral ceremony, crowds dressed in black gathered as the coffin was placed before a backdrop of red flowers and suspended white butterfly decorations.State television broadcast footage of President Masoud Pezeshkian paying his respects alongside Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.Ahmad Vahidi, commander of the Revolutionary Guards, also attended the ceremony, marking his first public appearance since the outbreak of the conflict in February.Mojtaba Khamenei 'marked for death'Iran has heightened security ahead of the funeral ceremony, where millions of mourners and several foreign dignitaries are expected to gather, amid concerns over potential attacks.The large public gathering has raised security concerns, with senior Iranian leaders expected to attend the ceremony. On Friday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned against any attempts to target the country in the coming days ahead of the funeral of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.The warning came days after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had been "marked for death", according to comments reported by Israeli news agency Ynet on Monday.Iran's Civil Aviation Organization also said on Friday that the airspace over Tehran will be "completely closed" on Monday to facilitate the funeral procession of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Khamenei's burial delayed amid security concernsUnder Islamic tradition, burials are typically conducted within a day of death. However, Khamenei's funeral was postponed because of security concerns over holding a large public gathering during the conflict. The ceremonies were scheduled after last month's interim truce was reached.Authorities have announced arrangements to accommodate the expected influx of mourners, with hotels offering 50 per cent discounts and schools, mosques and sports halls being prepared to provide accommodation. Bus and rail services have also been rerouted to facilitate travel to the funeral events.Following a funeral procession in central Tehran on Monday, Khamenei's remains will be taken to the seminary city of Qom for ceremonies on Tuesday. Further commemorations are scheduled for Wednesday in the Iraqi shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala, where senior figures from Iran's regional network of Shiite groups are expected to attend.Khamenei is scheduled to be buried on Thursday in Mashhad, near the shrine of Imam Reza, after a final funeral procession.