Photo: Majid Saeedi / Getty Images News / Getty Images
The body of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, arrived in Iraq today (Wednesday, July 8) as part of a dayslong funeral procession. Thousands of mourners gathered in Najaf, one of Shia Islam's holiest cities, to pay their respects. The procession began at 6 a.m. local time and included a visit to the shrine of Imam Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law. Iraqi authorities declared the day a public holiday to accommodate the ceremonies.
Khamenei, who led Iran for four decades, was killed in February during the opening salvos of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. His funeral procession, which started in Iran, will cover several cities across Iran and Iraq, culminating in a burial in his hometown of Mashhad, Iran, on Thursday (July 9).
The funeral has drawn significant attention, with Iran aiming to project strength and unity amidst ongoing conflict. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Khamenei's eldest son, Mostafa Hosseini Khamenei, were present in Najaf, although Pezeshkian had to leave early due to renewed U.S. strikes on Iran.
After Najaf, the coffin will be transported to Karbala, another holy city in Iraq, for further ceremonies. The event has been described as both a religious and political statement, showcasing the deep ties between Iraq and Iran. Esmail Qaani, head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, emphasized the "spiritual bond" between the two countries.
The extensive funeral proceedings are expected to conclude with Khamenei's burial in Mashhad, where millions of mourners are anticipated. The new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not yet appeared publicly since his father's death, fueling speculation about his condition following the air strikes that killed his father.