Iran has postponed the state funeral for its late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, just hours before it was scheduled to begin in Tehran. State media said the decision was made because officials expect an exceptionally large turnout of mourners.
The farewell ceremony had been planned to start Wednesday evening at Imam Khomeini Mosalla, with a three-day period for the public to pay respects. Authorities now say they will announce a new date later.
Officials also noted logistical issues and the need to manage huge crowds safely as reasons for the delay, although they have not linked the postponement directly to ongoing regional tensions.
Khamenei, who led Iran for decades, was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes, sparking heightened conflict in the Middle East, and his funeral arrangements remain a focal point as the nation continues to mourn.
