The final procession and interment of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was initially slated to begin in the city of Mashhad early Thursday morning. However, the massive turnout in the holy Iraqi cities of Karbala and Najaf prompted Iranian authorities to reschedule the ceremony to 2 pm local time.
What led to the delay in Khamenei’s final funeral procession in Mashhad?
The delay in the event was declared after Wednesday’s funeral processions in Iraq extended beyond their regular schedules due to overwhelming participation from millions of mourners, Press TV reported. The former Iranian Supreme Leader is set to be buried today. According to Iraqi officials, at least four million people attended the procession in the city alone.
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Iran thanks Iraq for the funeral ceremonies
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday thanked the Iraqi government, its citizens and religious authorities for their involvement in the funeral ceremonies of Ali Khamenei. In a post on X, Araghchi said, “All gratitude and appreciation to the brotherly Iraq–its government, people, and religious authorities–for the warm hospitality and dignified farewell in escorting our martyred Imam with broad popular participation.”
“The bonds between Iran and Iraq transcend geographical borders and neighborly ties, extending to a deeply rooted history, shared values, and a common destiny. Thank you to the Iraq of generosity and authenticity for this loyalty,” the Iranian Foreign Minister added.
كل الشكر والامتنان للعراق الشقيق؛ حكومةً وشعباً ومرجعيات دينية، على حسن الاستضافة ومهابة الوداع في تشييع إمامنا الشهيد بمشاركة شعبية واسعة.
الروابط بين إيران والعراق تتجاوز حدود الجغرافيا والجوار إلى تاريخ متجذر وقيم مشتركة ومصير واحد. شكراً لعراق الكرم والأصالة على هذا الوفاء. pic.twitter.com/YPHemTiPvx— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) July 8, 2026
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Millions turn out in Karbala
According to IRNA, Khamenei’s body arrived in Karbala on July 8 after a massive funeral procession was held in Najaf, where millions gathered to pay tribute to the slain Iranian leader. While some supporters performed self-flagellation rituals, others waved Iranian, red and black flags symbolising grief and demands for retaliation. Authorities struggled to control the overwhelming crowd throughout the journey, as mourners repeatedly pressed towards Khamenei’s coffin in hopes of receiving blessings.
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First published on: Jul 09, 2026 01:12 PM IST
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Sheetal Prasad
Sheetal Prasad is a news author with 1.5 years of experience in journalism. She covers a diverse range of topics, including politics, entertainment, and trending news, ensuring her readers stay informed about the latest developments. Sheetal holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Adamas University, West Bengal, which has equipped her with essential storytelling skills. Previously, she worked as a news journalist at Odisha TV.In addition to her articles, Sheetal manages a live blog that offers real-time updates on breaking news and trending stories. This interactive platform allows her audience to engage with the news as it unfolds, enhancing their understanding of significant issues.Every article she writes is rigorously verified by the News Desk team before publication, ensuring accuracy and reliability. Sheetal is committed to delivering trustworthy information, making her a dependable source for readers seeking quality content.When she’s not writing, Sheetal enjoys creating content for her YouTube channel and watching podcasts and interviews with renowned personalities. You can connect with her on Instagram for more insights and updates.
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