Khamenei funeral procession begins in Iraq’s Najaf with thousands in attendance

By AP 8 July 2026, 9:17 am

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Crowds of mourners surround the convoy carrying the coffin of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei during a funeral procession in Najaf, Iraq, on July 8, 2026. (Murtaja Lateef/AFP)

Funeral processions for Iran’s slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei begin in the Iraqi city of Najaf with thousands of mourners present.

The body of Khamenei arrived yesterday in the Iraqi city alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and other senior officials. They were welcomed by mourners and supporters holding portraits of the late supreme leader, and others performing self-flagellation in the streets.

Khamenei’s body is in a casket draped in the Islamic Republic’s flag, encased in glass. Mourners wave flags of Iran, as well as red and black flags symbolizing mourning and revenge.

“We, the people of Iraq, will remain a thorn in the eyes of the enemies,” says Jaafar Jawad, who is participating in the funeral. “His arrival to us is the greatest possible honor, and God willing, we will be loyal, and repay a little of his due in the holy city of Najaf.”

The funeral prayers in Najaf will take place at the Shrine of Imam Ali and will be led by Muhammad Taqi al-Hakim, a senior scholar at the Najaf seminary.

His body will then be taken from Najaf to the city of Karbala before being returned to Iran.