Iran on Thursday buried former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 132 days after he was killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike that marked the beginning of a major regional conflict. The burial took place at the revered Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, Khameneis birthplace, following nearly a week of state funeral ceremonies across the country.

Thousands of mourners, senior government officials, military commanders, clerics and foreign dignitaries attended the final funeral procession. Crowds carrying Iranian flags and portraits of Khamenei gathered in the holy city, chanting slogans in support of the Islamic Republic and condemning the United States and Israel. The funeral had been postponed for several months due to the ongoing war that erupted after Khameneis death on February 28. Under Islamic tradition, burials are typically held as soon as possible, but Iranian authorities delayed the ceremony because of security concerns and the continuing conflict.

A notable absence at the burial was Khameneis son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei. Although he was appointed Irans new Supreme Leader in March, Mojtaba did not attend the public funeral. Reports indicate he has remained out of public view after reportedly suffering serious injuries in the same airstrike that killed his father, though Iranian authorities have not officially commented on his condition.

The funeral ceremonies began in Tehran before moving to the religious city of Qom and eventually concluding in Mashhad, where Khamenei was laid to rest at one of Shia Islams holiest shrines. The multi-city processions reflected the significance of Khameneis nearly four decades as Irans highest authority. Khamenei served as Irans Supreme Leader since 1989, overseeing the countrys political, military and religious establishment through decades of regional tensions, international sanctions and domestic unrest. His death triggered one of the most significant leadership transitions in the history of the Islamic Republic.

The burial comes as Iran continues to grapple with the aftermath of months of conflict, economic pressure and heightened tensions with the United States and Israel. Analysts say the countrys political future will largely depend on how the new leadership under Mojtaba Khamenei navigates domestic challenges and international relations in the coming months.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.