Iraqi lawmakers thank Tehran for approving Khamenei funeral in Iraq

BAGHDAD — A group of Iraqi lawmakers has thrown its support behind plans to hold funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Iraq, visiting the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad on Monday to welcome Tehran’s approval of a procession expected to end with his burial in Najaf.

In a statement, Kalabi said the delegation met Iran’s ambassador to express gratitude for “his tremendous efforts in carrying our message to the Islamic Republic in order to approve the funeral procession” of Khamenei and his family. He described Khamenei as having “died defending Islam with his sons, his family and his children, emulating his grandfather Imam Hussein,” and said he was confident “the Iraqi people will repay the favor for the blood of the Sayyid leader.”

The visit comes days after Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani announced that Khamenei’s body would be transferred to Iraq on July 8 following ceremonies in Tehran and Qom. Ceremonies are scheduled in Tehran on July 4 and 5, a funeral procession in the capital on July 6 and a ceremony in Qom on July 7 before the transfer. Iranian officials say the move follows Khamenei’s reported request to be buried in Najaf, home to the shrine of Imam Ali and one of Shia Islam’s holiest cities, where he spent part of his religious studies before becoming supreme leader.

Khamenei was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28.