Thousands of mourners gathered in Iraq’s holy city of Najaf on Wednesday to attend funeral processions for Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.<\/p>\n
Khamenei’s coffin was carried on a large truck and driven through the streets, draped in the Iranian flag as it continued to other Shiite holy sites before returning to Iran for burial.<\/p>\n
Najaf is considered one of the holiest sites for Shiite Muslims, as it is where the Prophet Mohammad’s cousin and son-in-law, Imam Ali, was buried. Funeral prayers were held at the Shrine of Imam Ali prior to the procession.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Khamenei, who ruled over the Iranian Regime for 37 years, was killed in the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Feb. 28, which triggered the start of the war.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Crowds lined the streets of Najaf along the route, carrying portraits of the late Iranian leader and chanting, “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” according to Reuters<\/a>. Iraqi and Iranian flags flew above the procession alongside banners of Iran-backed Iraqi militias.<\/p>\n The six-day funeral procession began in Iran on Saturday, where world leaders, foreign dignitaries and officials gathered<\/a> in Tehran to mourn the ayatollah.<\/p>\n Khamenei’s body arrived Tuesday evening at Najaf International Airport, where Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, senior Iraqi officials and religious leaders welcomed the coffin. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also joined Wednesday’s procession.<\/p>\n Khamenei’s coffin is expected to travel to Karbala, another major holy city in Iraq, later on Wednesday for additional ceremonies before his body is returned to Iran.<\/p>\n The funeral unfolded as peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran were threatened by new fire.<\/p>\n