Overview
- Funeral processions moved into Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday, with Iraqi authorities declaring a public holiday and thousands of mourners attending ceremonies at the shrines of Imam Ali and Imam Hussein.
- Iran flew Khamenei’s coffin to Najaf after processions in Tehran and Qom, and an Iranian delegation led by President Masoud Pezeshkian took part in Iraqi rites.
- Mojtaba Khamenei, named successor in March, has not appeared publicly during the ceremonies and officials say he was wounded in the February strikes that killed his father.
- Security and diplomatic pressure have risen as recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz prompted U.S. military strikes and Washington revoked a general license for Iranian oil sales, while U.S.-Iran talks remain paused for the funerals.
- Claims about turnout are disputed — reporter estimates put crowds in the hundreds of thousands while the PMF cited 2.3 million — and Iran invited roughly 400 foreign social media influencers, including Western personalities who posted pro-regime content at the events.