Iran begins mass mourning ceremonies for slain Khamenei

Khamenei was killed at the age of 86 in a targeted airstrike on his official residence in Tehran on February 28. His death was followed by more than five weeks of fighting between Iran, Israel and the United States, drawing in Iranian-backed groups including the Lebanese Hezbollah, before US and Iranian representatives agreed to a ceasefire in early April.  

As supreme leader, Khamenei was Iran's highest political and religious authority, with the final say on all strategic matters. He ruled the Islamic Republic with absolute severity until his death. 

Observers will be watching for an appearance at the ceremonies by Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed Iran's new supreme leader a week after his father's death. Mojtaba Khamenei was seriously injured in the attack that killed his father and has not appeared in public since his appointment, sparking speculation about his health.