Iranian authorities are making final preparations for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with giant portraits of the late leader erected at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla and workers racing to ready the venue for what officials say could become the largest state funeral in the country's history.

The funeral, postponed during the recent conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, is scheduled to begin on Saturday. It comes as Tehran and Washington observe a fragile ceasefire following a preliminary agreement aimed at ending hostilities.

Khamenei, who led Iran for decades and remained the country's highest political and religious authority, was killed at the age of 86 in air strikes on February 28 during the opening stages of the conflict.

His body will lie in state at the Grand Mosalla, a major religious and ceremonial complex in central Tehran. The bodies of several relatives killed during the conflict are also expected to be presented during the ceremonies.

Officials estimate that between 15 million and 20 million people could attend the funeral events, potentially surpassing previous state funerals in Iran in terms of turnout.

State television footage showed workers painting and preparing facilities around the complex, while cranes and construction crews erected temporary structures to accommodate the expected crowds. Security forces have also increased their presence across the area.

Authorities have urged mourners to use public transportation and follow public safety guidance amid forecasts of high temperatures. State media has devoted extensive coverage to Khamenei’s life and political legacy in the days leading up to the funeral.

A separate ceremony for foreign dignitaries is scheduled for Friday. Ali-Akbar Pourjamshidian, secretary of the funeral headquarters, said representatives from around 30 countries are expected to attend.

Iranian officials said visitors are expected from neighboring countries including Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran had not extended formal invitations to European governments, criticizing their positions during the recent conflict.

Iran has maintained close coordination with Russia throughout the war and its aftermath.

Public holidays have been declared in Tehran and the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad during the funeral period. Authorities have ordered the closure of government offices and many businesses in the capital from Saturday through Monday, while traffic restrictions are expected to affect large parts of central Tehran.

Following the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei’s body is expected to be taken to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before being returned to Iran for burial on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, his birthplace.

It remains unclear whether Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, will appear publicly during the funeral ceremonies.

“The issue of the supreme leader’s attendance is not within my authority or knowledge,” Pourjamshidian told reporters. “If there is any programme, it will certainly be announced by the Office of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.” (ILKHA)