Video: Iran's Foreign Minister, Speaker break down at Ali Khamenei's funeral

Iranian Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf were inconsolable as they broke down in tears during the farewell ceremony for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Friday, as the Islamic Republic began week-long state funeral ceremonies months after his death in a US-Israeli strike on February 28.

Visuals released by Iran's Fars News Agency captured the emotional scenes, with the country's top leadership paying tribute to Khamenei, whose burial was postponed because of the war and subsequent security concerns.

A TEARY-EYED FAREWELL

A video from the ceremony shows Araghchi and Ghalibaf standing before Khamenei's coffin, visibly overcome with emotion as prayers are offered inside Tehran's Grand Mosalla.

Both leaders are seen wiping away tears while other senior officials bow their heads in mourning.

The footage also shows Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other dignitaries paying their respects as military officers stand in salute before the coffins.

Thousands of mourners dressed in black filled the prayer hall, while mourners outside chanted slogans, wept and beat their chests in keeping with Shiite mourning traditions.

KHAMENEI KILLED AS WAR BEGAN

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran for nearly 37 years, was killed alongside several members of his family, including his daughter, son-in-law, infant granddaughter and daughter-in-law, during the opening phase of the US-Israel conflict on February 28.

Under Islamic tradition, burials are generally conducted within 24 hours of death.

However, Iranian authorities delayed the funeral because of the ongoing conflict and heightened security risks, scheduling the ceremonies only after an interim truce was reached last month.

The body of the late Supreme Leader is lying in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla before a series of funeral processions across Iran and Iraq.

After ceremonies in Tehran, the remains will be taken to Qom before travelling to the Iraqi shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala. Khamenei will be buried in Mashhad on July 9 near the shrine of Imam Reza.

MOJTABA NOT ATTENDING FUNERAL

Notably absent from the public ceremony was Khamenei's son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, who reportedly did not attend because of security concerns.

Mojtaba is believed to have been injured in the strike that killed his father and has not appeared publicly since, with his engagements limited to recorded messages broadcast on state television.

ELABORATE SECURITY IN PLACE

Iranian officials said unprecedented security arrangements have been put in place for the funeral.

Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamadian said, "We will have the highest level of security and safety at the farewell and send-off ceremony for the martyred Leader."

He added, "Exactly at 6 am tomorrow, the doors of Tehran's Prayer Grounds will open; there will be no opening before 6. People should plan to arrive at the Prayer Grounds starting from this hour".

WORLD LEADERS ATTENDING

The funeral has drawn high-level delegations from across the world. Among those attending are Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief General Asim Munir, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, Turkmenistan's Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and several parliamentary speakers, ministers and regional leaders.

India is represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (Retired) Syed Ata Hasnain.

An Indian delegation that includes Congress leader Salman Khurshid and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also paid tribute.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, "Many other countries will be represented at the level of foreign ministers, other ministers, or special envoys."

The ceremonies come at a pivotal moment for Iran as the government seeks to project unity following Khamenei's death and months of conflict.

With millions of mourners expected over the coming days, the funeral will conclude with Khamenei's burial in Mashhad after processions through Iran and Iraq, marking the end of one of the most significant state ceremonies in the Islamic Republic's history.

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