The fifth day of funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei concluded in the holy city of Karbala on Wednesday, July 8, after his coffin was carried through the Imam Hussain and Hazrat Abbas shrines. Earlier, Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) estimated that around 3.8 million mourners took part in the funeral procession in Najaf, while Iraqi officials said about 4 million people gathered in Karbala to receive his remains and pay their final respects.
The procession, attended by senior Iranian and Iraqi officials, marks the first leg of the funeral ceremonies outside Iran. After events in Iraq, the convoy will return to Iran for the final burial in Mashhad on Thursday, July 9.
The multi-day funeral began in Tehran on Saturday, July 4 before continuing through Qom. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several members of his family were killed in a joint US-Israeli attack on February 28.
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Funeral rites continue at Hazrat Abbas shrine
Funeral prayers were offered for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the Hazrat Abbas Shrine before his coffin was carried in a solemn procession around the shrine. Iraqi mourners showered the coffin with rose petals and flowers as thousands gathered to pay their final respects.
Coffin leaves Imam Hussain shrine
5:49 am IST: After funeral prayers and the circumambulation around the tomb of Imam Hussain, Khamenei’s coffin departed the shrine through Bab al-Shuhada Gate and began its procession towards the Hazrat Abbas shrine, accompanied by thousands of mourners.
Coffin carried around Imam Hussain’s shrine
5:44 am IST: Following the prayers, Khamenei’s coffin was carried around the tomb of Imam Hussain by mourners inside the shrine in a solemn circumambulation
Funeral prayer offered for Khamenei at Imam Hussain shrine
5:40 am IST:
Khamenei’s coffin carried into Imam Hussain shrine
5:37 am IST: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s coffin was carried on the shoulders of mourners into the Imam Hussain shrine in Karbala. Videos shared by Iranian media showed thousands of mourners surrounding the coffin, lifting it above the crowd as it entered the shrine for the funeral rites.
Khamenei’s coffin enters Imam Hussain shrine
5:23 am IST: The funeral convoy carrying Khamenei’s coffin reached the Imam Hussain shrine after passing through Karbala’s streets amid massive crowds of mourners.
Khamenei’s funeral convoy enters Abbas Street
3:12 am IST: The funeral convoy carrying Khamenei’s coffin entered Abbas Street in Karbala, where thousands of Iraqi mourners gathered to welcome it. Videos shared by Iranian media showed crowds lining the route, waving flags, raising mobile phones and accompanying the procession as it continued towards the holy shrines.
Watch: Mourners welcome Khamenei’s funeral convoy with flower petals
2 pm IST:
Araghchi thanks Iraq for hosting Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies
12:58 am IST: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi thanked Iraq’s government, people and religious authorities for what he described as their warm hospitality and dignified farewell during the funeral ceremonies for Khamenei.
In a post on X, Araghchi said the strong public participation reflected the deep historical, religious and cultural ties between Iran and Iraq, adding that the relationship between the two countries “transcends geographical borders and neighbourly ties.”
Bayn al-Haramayn awaits funeral convoy
12:34 am IST: Thousands of mourners remained gathered at Bayn al-Haramayn, the area between the Imam Hussein and Al-Abbas shrines in Karbala, awaiting the arrival of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral convoy. Live footage showed large crowds filling the ceremonial route as funeral rites continued in the holy city.
Crowds receive funeral convoy as rites continue in Karbala
12:12 am IST: Dense crowds of Iraqi mourners lined the entrance to the holy city of Karbala as the vehicle carrying Khamenei’s mortal remains slowly made its way towards Bayn al-Haramayn for the next stage of the funeral ceremonies. Videos shared by Khamenei Media showed thousands of mourners gathering along the route to receive the funeral convoy.
Mourners line Karbala streets for Khamenei funeral
10:30 pm IST: Thousands of mourners gathered along Al-Jumhuriyah Street in Karbala on Wednesday evening ahead of the funeral procession for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The street links the Bab al-Qibla entrances of the Imam Hussein and Al-Abbas shrines, where the final funeral rites are taking place.
Iranian President thanks Pakistan, Georgia for attending Khamenei funeral
9:45 pm IST: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Georgia’s President Mikheil Kavelashvili for attending the state funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In separate messages, Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for their participation and extended condolences, describing their presence as a sign of solidarity with Iran.
First footage released of damaged Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah
8:07 pm IST: Iranian state media released what it described as the first footage showing the damage to the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah, the venue where Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei regularly addressed the public. The video was released following the US missile strikes, showing extensive destruction inside the building.
Khamenei’s remains heads from Najaf to Karbala
7:35 pm IST: The vehicle carrying the remains of Khamenei departed Najaf and began travelling along the Arbaeen route towards Karbala ahead of the next stage of the funeral ceremonies. Video shared by Iranian media showed the funeral convoy accompanied by mourners as it made its way to the holy city.
Karbala prepares to receive Khamenei’s remains
5:40 pm IST: Large crowds gathered in Karbala as mourners awaited the arrival of the remains of Khamenei for the next stage of the funeral ceremonies. Processions continued towards the shrine area ahead of the funeral rites in the city.
Najaf funeral rites conclude, procession heads to Karbala
4:30 pm IST: After funeral prayers at the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, the funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei concluded in the Iraqi city. His body is now being transferred to Karbala for the next stage of the funeral rites.
Prayer offered over Khamenei’s remain at Imam Ali shrine
3:35 pm IST: Funeral prayers were held over the body of Khamenei inside the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf. According to Iranian media, the prayers were led by Iraqi Shia cleric Ayatollah Sayyid Mohammad Saeed al-Hakim.
Crowds escort Khamenei’s casket inside Imam Ali shrine
3:15 pm IST: Khamenei’s casket was carried through the Imam Ali shrine amid a surge of mourners, with thousands accompanying the procession in Najaf.
90,000 mourners cross into Iraq for funeral ceremonies
2:52 pm IST: Around 90,000 mourners have crossed from Iran’s Khuzestan province into Iraq over the past three days to attend the funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Najaf and Karbala, according to the province’s deputy governor for security and law enforcement.
Photos: Mourners pay final respects in Najaf procession
2:21 pm IST:
Khamenei’s eldest son visits Imam Hussain shrine
1:48 pm IST: Ayatollah Sayyed Mostafa Khamenei, the eldest son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, visited the Imam Hussain shrine in Karbala.
Khamenei’s family honoured at Hazrat Abbas shrine
1 pm ISt: The funeral procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s family members continued at the shrine of Hazrat Abbas in Karbala on Wednesday. The coffins were placed inside the holy shrine as mourners gathered to offer prayers and pay their final respects during the latest stage of the cross-border funeral ceremonies.
Khamenei’s coffin carried through sea of mourners
12:42 pm IST: The funeral procession carrying Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s remains continued through Najaf as thousands of mourners surrounded the convoy, chanting elegies and waving flags while accompanying it along the procession route.
Funeral prayers held at Imam Ali shrine
12:15 pm IST: The coffins were taken to the Imam Ali shrine, where funeral prayers were led by Sayyid Muhammad Taqi al-Hakim. The remains were then carried around the sacred shrine in a ceremonial procession attended by thousands.
Thousands gather for funeral procession
12:15 pm IST: Large crowds assembled in Najaf before dawn, with mourners lining the streets leading to the Imam Ali (AS) shrine. Many carried the coffins on their shoulders, chanting religious slogans, reciting elegies and expressing solidarity with the Iranian people.
Khamenei’s remains received in Najaf
12:15 pm IST: Ali Khamenei’s remains, along with those of members of his family, arrived at Najaf International Airport on Tuesday night. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior officials received the coffins before the funeral procession commenced.
Iraq declares nationwide public holiday
12:15 pm IST: The Iraqi government declared Wednesday a public holiday to allow citizens to participate in the funeral ceremonies. Security was tightened across Najaf as large crowds gathered throughout the city.
