Thousands of people from across Iran gathered in the capital, Tehran, on Thursday to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the passing of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, citing international media reports, the ceremony took place at the Imam Khomeini Mausoleum located in the southern part of Tehran. Participants arrived from various cities and villages across the country, with reports indicating that some pilgrims traveled to the capital on foot to pay their respects.
The event was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the head of Iran's Judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Prosecutor General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri. It was also announced that a message from the current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, would be delivered during the proceedings.
The annual commemoration of Imam Khomeini’s death is traditionally viewed as a significant event aimed at fostering national unity. However, this year's ceremony saw a notable absence of foreign ambassadors and international guests, a decision attributed to the current regional security climate and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty, remains a central figure in Iran's political and ideological landscape. His mausoleum serves as a major site for state-sponsored events and pilgrimages, symbolizing the continuity of the revolutionary principles established during his leadership.
