The funeral procession for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei passed through Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday, as part of ceremonies held in both Iraq and Iran.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Najaf, carrying images of Khamenei and his son Mojtaba while flags linked to Tehran-aligned groups were also seen during the procession.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Iraq ahead of the ceremony and was received by Iraqi officials. Several prominent Iraqi figures attended the event, including senior political and religious figures.
Iraqi authorities received Khamenei’s remains at Najaf International Airport on Tuesday, with the country declaring Wednesday a public holiday to mark the occasion.
The ceremonies took place after months of delay following regional tensions and security concerns surrounding the funeral. The procession was later scheduled to continue in Iran, where Khamenei’s remains will be taken to the city of Mashhad for burial.
The event comes amid continued regional tensions, particularly around security developments in the Strait of Hormuz and broader relations between Iran and the United States.
