Over Four Million Attend Imam Khamenei’s Funeral Procession in Karbala
Lebanon’s Al-Akhbar newspaper reported that the funeral procession for Imam Khamenei, the martyred leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, was held in Karbala with massive popular and official participation. According to preliminary figures released by media affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), the number of attendees at the ceremony exceeded four million people.
The newspaper stated that the procession was not merely a religious event but also carried political messages, especially amid Iraq’s regional pressures and political challenges. Al-Akhbar emphasized that the high level of popular participation and the presence of official dignitaries underscore the importance of this event in current regional dynamics.
According to the report, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and several Iraqi political leaders including members of the Coordination Framework and Mohammed al-Halbousi, leader of the Progress Party, attended the event. Additionally, Ismail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force, Mohsen Rezaee, advisor to the Supreme Leader and commanders from the PMF, along with representatives from various regional groups, were present.
Media close to the PMF reported that the streets of Iraq’s holy cities were filled with crowds and flags of Iraq and Iran, with pictures of Imam Khamenei and other political and religious figures displayed across various areas.
Political analyst Faleh al-Majidi told Al-Akhbar that the massive attendance of Iraqi citizens reflects deep social and political ties between Baghdad and Tehran. He added that the ceremony took place amid Iraq’s internal challenges and external pressures, as the government strives to balance various political and economic demands.
According to the analyst, the participation of senior officials from both countries demonstrates the continuation of close Baghdad-Tehran relations. He stressed that Iraq has maintained its position in regional equations.
Mohammad al-Saadi, a cleric who participated in the ceremony, also stated that the wide presence of different Iraqi social groups and foreign guests sends a message of unity and stability among resistance movements in the region. He noted that such events show recent developments have not affected the attitudes and beliefs of supporters of these movements.
