Iranian supreme leader’s body arrives in Iraq

NAJAF, July 07 (YPA) – The body of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei arrived at Najaf International Airport on Tuesday, where Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi led an official reception ceremony attended by senior Iraqi and Iranian officials.

Iran’s consul in Karbala said the reception was attended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iraqi prime minister, and senior officials from both countries.

Iranian state television reported that Pezeshkian headed the Iranian delegation, accompanied by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other senior officials.

Correspondents in Najaf reported that the aircraft carrying Khamenei’s body landed at Najaf International Airport as large crowds of Iraqis gathered at the Imam Ali Shrine to pay their final respects and participate in the funeral ceremony.

According to the Iranian consul, Ayatollah Sayyed Muhammad Taqi al-Hakim will lead the funeral prayer in Najaf, while Sheikh Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalai, the representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, will lead the funeral prayer at the Imam Hussein Shrine after the body is transferred to Karbala.

In the holy city of Karbala, media sources reported that crowds had been arriving for the past two days to participate in the funeral ceremonies. Authorities said medical teams and security forces had completed preparations to support the events at the Imam Hussein and al-Abbas shrines.

The sources added that members of Khamenei’s family are expected to arrive in Karbala on Wednesday morning, where they will receive an official welcome.

The ceremonies follow large funeral processions held in Tehran and Qom, Iran, which drew widespread public participation before the body was transferred to Iraq.

@E.Y.M