A symbolic chair and a portrait of late leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, on the stage, as people gather for a public farewell ceremony to pay their respects.
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Iranian authorities say they anticipate between 15 and 20 million participants in Tehran alone over the next three days for tributes to the man who ran the country for three-and-a-half decades.Read | The Iran conundrum and the decline of the WestSix days of funeral ceremonies are planned to commemorate Ali Khamenei, who ruled the Islamic republic as its number one from 1989 until his killing aged 86 on the first day of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran on February 28.Also Read | Iran holds funeral for Ali Khamenei: Who is attending?The events will be scrutinised in particular for any signs of Khamenei’s son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei, who was named Supreme Leader a week after the killing of his father but is yet to appear in public.Follow the live for more updatesJuly 04, 2026 09:52 The Iran conundrum and the decline of the West Ever since 1945, the dominance of the United States and western Europe in world affairs has been taken for granted, largely because of their military power, technological innovations, and financial strength. This situation continued until fairly recently. However, the rise of China, along with the growing prominence of certain “middle powers” in recent years, has begun to dent — though not eclipse — the image of the U.S. as a superpower.The Iran conundrum and the decline of the WestThe implications of a superpower conceding ground to a battered Iran are huge and are unlikely to be lost on nations and major powers across the globeJuly 04, 2026 08:43 In pictures | Iran pays last respects to slain leader Ali KhameneiThe people of Iran on Friday (July 3, 2026) gathered to pay their final respects to the country’s slain Supreme Leader Ali Khameneiat the start of a week of funeral ceremonies, with officials and international dignitaries converging on Tehran, where his body is lying in state.Khamenei’s coffin had been carried into the complex earlier — draped in a flag of the Islamic republic and with his black turban placed on top.Read moreJuly 04, 2026 07:46 Crowds enter Khamenei's funeral venue ahead of processions: AFP journalist
