Preparations for the funeral of Iran’s slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei are in full swing, with authorities expecting millions and a coterie of foreign dignitaries to attend the official ceremony, AFP reports.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the funeral in Tehran.

China, Afghanistan and Iran’s neighbours in the Caucasus region say they aill also be sending representatives.

Workers were readying Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex, while security teams stopped passing cars and curious bystanders looked on.

“We are planting flowers and watering the shrubs for the farewell ceremony of our martyred guide,” says worker Hossein Moghadassi, clad in a hat and a scarf to cover his face as the temperature soared.

“People will come from all over Iran. There will be huge crowds.”