Iran marks Khamenei’s death with state-backed arts tribute

The event featured a performance by the Iranian National Orchestra, while footage showed artists painting portraits of the late leader alongside projected images on stage.

Iran’s Culture Minister Seyed Abbas Salehi said: “In terms of quantity and quality, with clear, attractive expressions and noteworthy events, a considerable number of artists, step by step over these forty days, came forward and participated,” adding that those who did not attend were “traitors”.

Science Minister Hossein Simaei Saraf described Khamenei as unmatched, saying: “I can say that the characteristics you see in our dear, martyred leader are unparalleled traits that have come together in one person.”

Babak Rezaei of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage said the “broad presence of artists from various disciplines reflects” the leader’s legacy.

Khamenei was killed during a joint US-Israeli operation on February 28, with his son, Mujtaba Khamenei, later named successor. Iran has yet to announce details of the funeral procession as regional tensions continue to escalate.