Khamenei’s farewell ceremony postponed as conflict between US, Israel and Iran intensifies for fifth day

Iran has postponed the state funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that was scheduled to take place in Tehran on Wednesday evening, state television reported, citing an expected unusually large public turnout.According to AFP, local Iranian media reported that “the farewell ceremony of the martyr Imam has been postponed. The new date will be announced later.”

Earlier in the day, authorities announced that a memorial ceremony would be held in the capital before Khamenei’s body would be transported to his birthplace, the holy city of Mashhad, for burial. The 86-year-old cleric was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack over the weekend.Tehran has faced sustained bombardment since Saturday, with missiles targeting military and government sites. Officials did not directly link the delay to the security situation.Also read: US assets strike across Middle East on fifth day of conflict; Israel launches new strikes on Iran, LebanonMohsen Mahmoudi, chairman of Tehran’s Islamic Development Coordination Council, which oversees the arrangements, said the delay was partly due to the millions of people expected to take part and the logistical preparations needed to accommodate those crowds.