TEHRAN – Funeral ceremonies have begun at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla mosque for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several of his family members, who were killed in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike targeting his office and residence on the first day of the war against Iran on Feb. 28.

Senior Iranian officials, including the heads of the three branches of government, are attending the funeral ceremonies.

Foreign dignitaries, including political and religious leaders, are also taking part in the funeral procession.

So far, leaders of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as the Turkish Vice President, have attended the ceremony.  

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, is also expected to participate in today's ceremony. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has already arrived in Tehran for the funeral. 

Public farewell ceremonies for the Leader will continue in Tehran on Saturday and Sunday, with millions expected to attend. So far, hundreds of thousands of the late Leader's supporters from across the country have arrived in the capital to pay their final respects.