The funeral procession of late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reached the Iraqi city of Najaf on Wednesday, continuing to Karbala for ceremonies at the site of the historic battle of Karbala, according to the funeral itinerary. The body will later be returned to Iran for burial in Mashhad.
The funeral procession of late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reached the Iraqi city of Najaf early Wednesday morning and proceeded to Karbala for ceremonies at the site of the historic battle central to Shia identity. The cortege continues the international leg of the mourning rites, with the body later to be returned to Iran for burial in Mashhad.
Initial reports at 06:50 Jerusalem described large crowds escorting the coffin through Najaf's streets. Within the same hour, an update confirmed that President Masoud Pezeshkian and IRGC Quds Force commander Ismail Qaani are accompanying the body. Separately, a source monitoring the Arab world posted a sarcastic message calling the procession a "never-ending funeral march," suggesting Khamenei has become a "passing package."
The Zioneer has previously reported on the funeral preparations, including the burial in Mashhad confirmed by Iranian media and the July 9 date cited by some sources. The Iraq leg marks the first time an Iranian supreme leader's funeral has been held outside Iran, underscoring the regime's emphasis on Shia solidarity. The Iraqi government has deployed security forces to manage the expected crowds.
The exact timing of the burial in Mashhad remains unconfirmed, and the full scope of international attendance is still unclear.
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