Khamenei laid to rest in birthplace Mashhad

Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. – File photo

Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has been laid to rest in his birthplace of Mashhad following days of national mourning.

According to Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, Khamenei was buried early Friday, several months after he was killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike at the outset of the Iran war on February 28.

Khamenei, who led Iran for nearly 37 years, was killed during the early phase of the conflict. Following several days of public mourning, his funeral concluded with his burial in Mashhad on Thursday.

He became only the second Iranian ruler to be buried in Mashhad. The first was Nader Shah, who was laid to rest there after being assassinated in 1747 following an 11-year reign.

Khamenei’s final funeral procession began on Saturday. Authorities imposed restrictions on roads, airspace and public activities in Tehran and other cities during the mourning period.

Large crowds took part in the procession to pay tribute to the leader, who shaped Iran’s politics for decades and was widely known for his confrontational stance toward the West.