Large portraits of Iran’s late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are hanging inside Tehran’s Grand Mosalla as workers complete preparations for the last rites.
The funeral, which was delayed during the height of the Middle East conflict, is due to take place as Iran and the United States maintain a fragile ceasefire following a preliminary agreement to halt the fighting.
Khamenei, regarded by many Shias as a spiritual figure, was killed at the age of 86 at his compound in central Tehran on February 28, the first day of the war.
Public funeral on Saturday; body lies in state at Tehran complex
Khamenei portraits hang at Tehran’s Grand Musalla ahead of last rites
The public funeral is due to begin on Saturday, with his body lying in state at the vast complex in central Tehran, which hosts major Friday prayers, official ceremonies and religious gatherings.
The bodies of his slain relatives will also be presented during the ceremony. Officials said between 15 million and 20 million mourners are expected to attend, making it the largest state funeral in the country's history.
Workers applied fresh paint across the venue while a heavy police presence remained around the complex.
Public transport advised as heat expected to rise
The state television footage showed workers welding metal structures as cranes lifted construction materials across the site, urging the mourners to use public transport and issued public safety advice, asking people to stay hydrated as temperatures are forecast to rise during the funeral period.
