Thousands Gather in Iraq for Funeral Prayers of Iran's Late Supreme Leader Khamenei

Funeral processions for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei commenced on Wednesday in the Iraqi city of Najaf, drawing thousands of mourners. Khamenei, who led Iran for decades, was killed in late February during wide-scale strikes by the United States and Israel. He was 86.

The religious ceremonies began on Saturday in Tehran, where authorities shut down streets, airspace, and daily life to accommodate the mourners. Khamenei's body was then transported to Najaf, one of the holiest cities for Shiite Muslims worldwide. The body arrived in a casket draped in Iran's flag, encased in glass, accompanied by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and other senior officials.

In Najaf, mourners carried portraits of the late supreme leader and waved Iranian flags alongside red and black flags symbolizing mourning and revenge. Some participants engaged in self-flagellation, a traditional practice of mourning. Jaafar Jawad, a participant, said, 'We the people of Iraq will remain a thorn in the eyes of the enemies. His arrival among us is the greatest possible honour.'

The funeral prayers in Najaf are scheduled at the Shrine of Imam Ali, a site of profound significance for Shiite Muslims, led by senior scholar Muhammad Taqi al-Hakim. Following the prayers, the body will be taken to Karbala, another holy city, where prayers will be led by Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalaei at the Imam Hussein Shrine. Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was killed there in 680 AD.

Meanwhile, talks between the United States and Iran regarding a potential end to the monthslong conflict in the Middle East appear to be on hold until after the burial. However, recent military actions—including US strikes on Iran after Tehran attacked three ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and subsequent Iranian strikes on Kuwait and Bahrain—have raised concerns that the interim agreement might collapse.

Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has not yet appeared at the funeral ceremonies. He is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the airstrike that killed his father.