TEHRAN, April 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Thousands of Iranians paid tribute on Thursday to the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who ruled the country for nearly four decades until his killing in US-Israeli strikes at the start of the Middle East war.

His son Mojtaba Khamenei has succeeded him but he has not been seen in public since before the war, and it appeared unlikely that he would be present at ceremonies being held across Iran on Thursday.

Images broadcast on state television showed thousands of people taking part in rallies, many holding portraits of the late revolutionary, including in Urmia in the northwest, Gorgan in the northeast and the capital Tehran.

The national homage began at 9:40 am (0610 GMT), the time at which Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 at his Tehran residence, alongside numerous senior Iranian figures.

The attack marked the start of the Middle East war that rapidly spread across the region, with Iran retaliating against US interests in the Gulf and striking Israel.

Owing to the war, a state funeral has yet to take place for the late leader.