His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has since taken over leadership. However, he has remained out of public view since before the war began, and there were doubts about whether he would attend the nationwide remembrance events.

Footage aired on state television showed large crowds participating in memorial rallies across several cities, including Tehran, Urmia, and Gorgan. Many mourners carried portraits of the late leader as they paid their respects.

The commemorations officially began at 9:40 a.m. local time — the exact moment Khamenei was killed on February 28 at his residence in Tehran, alongside several high-ranking Iranian officials.

That attack triggered a wider regional conflict, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes against U.S. assets in the Gulf and targeting Israel.

Due to the ongoing war, a formal state funeral for Khamenei has not yet been held.