Funeral for Khamenei begins in Iraq as US-Iran strikes threaten ceasefire

NAJAF, Iraq (AP) — Thousands of mourners gathered Wednesday in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf for funeral processions for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei, 86, was killed in late February during large-scale U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. His body arrived in Najaf on Tuesday alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials. Mourners waved Iranian flags and red and black flags symbolizing mourning and revenge. Some performed self-flagellation in the streets. Khamenei's body rested in a casket draped in Iran's flag, encased in glass. "We the people of Iraq will remain a thorn in the eyes of the enemies," said mourner Jaafar Jawad. "His arrival to us is the greatest possible honor." Funeral prayers will take place at the Shrine of Imam Ali, led by senior scholar Muhammad Taqi al-Hakim. Later, ceremonies will move to the city of Karbala, another holy site for Shiite Muslims. Meanwhile, U.S.-Iran tensions remain high. The U.S. military attacked Iran early Wednesday after Tehran struck three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran then launched retaliatory strikes on Kuwait and Bahrain. Talks between the United States and Iran appear to be on hold until after the burial. Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared at the ceremonies. He is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the airstrike that killed his father.