07.07.2026 23:51
The remains of Iran's former leader Ali Khamenei were brought to Iraq for official funeral ceremonies to be held in Najaf and Karbala. The body, received with tears at Najaf Airport by Iranian President Pezeshkian, senior officials, and thousands of people, will be transported from Kufa to Karbala. Khamenei's body will be taken to the shrines of Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas, and the funeral prayer will be led by Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalai, the representative of the highest religious authority for Shia Muslims in Iraq.
The body of Iran's former leader Ali Khamenei, who lost his life in the US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, was brought to the city of Najaf in Iraq as part of the official funeral program.
THOUSANDS WELCOME HIM
Many senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, also came to Iraq to attend the funeral.
The ceremony at Najaf International Airport, which also involved military units, saw high attendance. During the reception of Khamenei's body, many mourners of the former religious leader were seen unable to hold back their tears.
FUNERAL CEREMONIES TO BE HELD IN NAJAF AND KARBALA
Iraqi sources announced that the said ceremony in Najaf will start at 06:00 local time tomorrow. The second part of the ceremony is expected to be held in Karbala at 16:00. The funeral procession in Najaf will begin from Kufa Bridge and follow the route of Sevratül-Işrin Bridge and Sadrayn Square. After the ceremony, the bodies will be transported to Karbala under military escort.
The procession in Karbala will start from Seyyid Jewde Junction and reach the shrines of Imam Hussein and Hazrat Abbas via the Courthouse Junction. It was stated that after the body reaches the Imam Hussein Shrine in Karbala, the funeral prayer will be led by Abdulmehdi al-Karbalai, the representative of the highest religious authority of Shias in Iraq.
OFFICIAL HOLIDAY DECLARED IN ALL PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
Meanwhile, extensive security measures were taken in Najaf and Karbala before the funeral. Guest reception areas were prepared, while comprehensive arrangements were made for water, food, and first aid services, as well as visitor and convoy traffic.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zeydi had announced that an official holiday would be declared in all public institutions tomorrow due to the funeral.
After the funeral ceremonies to be held in the Iranian city of Mashhad on Thursday, Khamenei is expected to be laid to rest at the Imam Reza Shrine.