World leaders are anticipated to participate in an extended funeral procession for Iran’s deceased Ayatollah Khamenei, who passed away at the age of 86 during the onset of the US-Israel conflict in Tehran.

Over 100 countries’ leaders are set to join the opening ceremony today before the body is transported for public viewing across Iran and Iraq. The coffin, alongside other family members who perished in the war, is currently on display in preparation for the upcoming ceremony.

The event is expected to draw millions of supporters to the streets in five cities across the two nations to pay respects to the late leader, who governed Iran with authority for almost four decades. Concerns about potential stampedes, as seen in past large-scale mourning events in the region, have arisen.

Notably, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, credited for aiding in the current ceasefire negotiations, is among the dignitaries expected to attend the state funeral. Other prominent figures like President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Armenia’s leader Nikol Pashinyan, and Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili will also be present.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev will represent Russia at the ceremony, while officials from Afghanistan, India, and Bangladesh are slated to attend. The participation of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son and Iran’s new Supreme Leader, remains uncertain due to severe injuries sustained during the US-Israeli strike that claimed his family members’ lives.

With the ceasefire holding steady, preparations are underway for the funeral procession across various cities, starting in Tehran and concluding in Mashhad, where Khamenei will be laid to rest at the Imam Reza shrine, a site frequently visited by millions of pilgrims annually.

The ceremony is expected to be a significant and heavily attended event, reminiscent of the fervor witnessed during Iran’s past historical moments.