WANA (Jul 04) – As the farewell ceremonies for Iran’s late leader begin, international media outlets across the globe have provided extensive and widespread coverage of the event.

 

The farewell ceremony for the body of the late leader—which commenced early Friday at the Tehran Musalla with the presence of foreign dignitaries and state officials, and continued Saturday morning with a public farewell—has been widely reflected in international news.

 

The Guardian published photos and videos of Friday’s ceremony, reporting that the six-day funeral procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is expected to draw millions of people across Iran.

 

Referencing a statement by First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, who described the funeral as one of the most significant events of the 21st century, the British newspaper noted that the ceremonies are designed to be an epic demonstration of Iran’s national power.

Similarly, Turkey’s Anadolu Agency reported on the attendance of foreign leaders and delegations at the farewell ceremony, while CNN broadcast a visual report from Tehran, highlighting the week-long memorial services and the anticipation of millions joining the gatherings.

 

The Associated Press released images of the crowds gathered at the Tehran Musalla, reporting on the atmosphere in the city, the installation of billboards featuring the late leader’s image, and the chants of the citizens present on Saturday.

 

Furthermore, The New York Times published a report detailing the funeral procession schedule, which is slated to take place across five cities in Iran and Iraq.

 

Other major outlets, including NBC News, Al Jazeera, Reuters, and Deutsche Welle, also covered the massive mobilization of crowds in Tehran paying their respects.

Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth commented that the participation of millions of people in the funeral procession of Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, serves as a display of power and a thorn in the side of the United States. The newspaper added that through this event, Iran is signaling that its revolution knows no bounds.

 

Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post reflected on the grand farewell, reporting that the funeral procession for Iran’s late leader officially commenced on Saturday morning. The outlet noted that the event drew thousands of people and represents a “show of strength against the enemies of the Islamic Republic.”

 

The Chinese-language media outlet cited Iranian officials stating that between 15 to 20 million people are expected to pay their respects over the next three days in Tehran alone to the man who led Iran for three and a half decades.

 

The report also cited eyewitness accounts from foreign journalists on the ground, noting that an AFP correspondent witnessed thousands of mourners holding red flags—a symbol of revenge—gathering at the Grand Musalla of Tehran awaiting the arrival of the casket, as chants of “Death to America” and “Revenge, Revenge” echoed through the venue.