Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's body was displayed in a Tehran hall for a week of mourning events, marking the end of his 37-year rule.

The funeral processions, which include visits to Shiite holy sites in Iran and Iraq, aim to showcase national unity despite internal fractures and economic struggles.The funeral comes after a four-month war involving US and Israeli airstrikes that killed Khamenei.

Analysts note that support for the clerical leadership is weak, with the new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remaining hidden since his father's assassination.The event also highlights Iran's geopolitical tensions, with Russia and China expected to attend.

The funeral's timing coincides with ongoing protests and sanctions, underscoring the regime's efforts to maintain control through displays of state power.