Khamenei Funeral Procession Moves Through Najaf Streets After U.S. and Israeli Strikes

Huge crowds filled the streets of Najaf and the courtyards of its shrine on Wednesday as the coffin of Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei moved through the city toward the shrine of Imam Ali. The procession crossed the border from Iran earlier that day after the remains arrived at Najaf international airport the previous night. Iraqi authorities declared Wednesday a public holiday.

Ceremonies began at 6 a.m. local time. Najaf ranks as the third holiest site in Shia Islam after Mecca and Medina. Hundreds of thousands attended the procession. Iran began six days of public funeral events on Saturday.

After Najaf the body travels about 60 kilometers north to Karbala for another procession at the shrines of Imam Hussein and his brother Abbas. Burial is scheduled for Thursday in Mashhad, Iran. Strikes by the US and Israel on Tehran killed Khamenei and several of his relatives on February 28.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who took over as supreme leader, has not appeared publicly since the air strikes. Officials stated he sustained wounds in those strikes, though the severity of his injuries remains unclear. Esmail Qaani, head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, praised the planning by Iraqi officials.

He said the event demonstrates the spiritual bond between Iran and Iraq. Iraqi Mohammed al-Bayati, who travelled for hours to Najaf, said it was an opportunity not to be missed to participate in the funeral of the person who challenged the power of America and Israel.