Millions assemble in Tehran to mourn supreme leader, calling for revenge against US

Patrick Wintour

Good morning, and welcome to the Middle East live blog.

Today marks the start of a mass funeral procession for Iran’s former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

Millions have assembled in the capital for the six-day, five-city funeral for Khamenei, who was killed in February during the first airstrike when the US and Israel started the current war in the region. He was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.

Guardian correspondent Patrick Wintour is on the ground reporting from Tehran. He said the funeral prayers this weekend ‘created a political spectacle at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla that melded grief with calls for revenge.’

You can read his latest update here:

The procession today follows two days of public farewell ceremonies, during which there were calls for the murder of Donald Trump.

The coffins of Khamenei and family members also killed in the strikes will make their way to Mehrabad International Airport over the course of a 12-hour journey.

Daily life has ground to a halt since national mourning began on Saturday, with authorities closing streets and air space to mark the occasion. The procession will end on Thursday, when Khamenei will be buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, where he was born.

We’ll follow the procession as it makes its way through Tehran, and also give you the latest on hostilities which are continuing in Lebanon and Palestine.