Iran has postponed the funeral prayers and burial of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, citing administrative and logistical challenges, state media reported.
The memorial ceremony, which was scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. Pakistan time, has been delayed.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency, quoting an official, said the decision was taken due to organisational issues, including a surge in requests from people across various provinces to attend the event.
A special farewell ceremony was planned in Tehran, where the public was expected to pay last respects to the late leader.
Iranian media had reported that the commemorations would continue for three days, while the date of the funeral procession would be announced later.
Head of Iran’s Islamic Propagation Coordination Council, Hojjatoleslam Mahmoudi, had earlier said the public would be allowed to view the body from 10pm local time at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla, which would remain open to citizens wishing to attend in large numbers.
Iranian state media reported that the 86-year-old Supreme Leader was killed on Saturday in airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States.
The Iranian cabinet has declared 40 days of national mourning. Official events and public activities across the country have been curtailed.
Meanwhile, Iran announced the launch of “Operation True Promise 4” in response to US and Israeli actions.
Iranian officials claimed large-scale missile and drone strikes targeted Israeli sites and US bases in the region.
Authorities also said the recent attacks resulted in the deaths of several senior military commanders and hundreds of civilians, triggering widespread anger across the country.
