Iranian President arrives in Najaf for funeral of assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has arrived in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq, to attend the funeral procession of Iran's assassinated Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The procession is scheduled to take place on Wednesday in Iraq, following extensive funeral ceremonies held in Iran.

Khamenei was killed on February 28, marking the first day of the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi also arrived in Najaf to participate in the reception ceremony for Khamenei's body, which was expected to arrive that night. Government and security committees in the Najaf and Karbala provinces have finalized logistical and technical preparations for the official and public funeral procession.

The funeral procession is anticipated to begin early Wednesday, moving from Najaf to Karbala, where a massive turnout is expected. Khamenei's funeral services in Iran have been ongoing for days, including a funeral prayer and a large procession in the city of Qom on Tuesday. Prior to this, millions of Iranians had participated in massive funeral events in Tehran over the preceding weekend.

Ali Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for over 36 years, will be finally buried on Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad. Mashhad is considered the most sacred city in Iran, as it houses the mausoleum of Imam Reza, the eighth Imam of Shia Islam.