Ayatollah Khamenei’s body taken to Najaf ahead of funeral rites

The funeral journey of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly continued with the arrival of his body in the Iraqi city of Najaf,  the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Wednesday.

According to the reports, senior Iraqi officials, including the country's prime minister, were present at the airport alongside a large number of people to receive the funeral procession.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also travelled to Najaf to take part in the funeral events.

According to the same reports, President Pezeshkian later returned to Iran following reported United States strikes on the country.

The body of Ayatollah Khamenei is expected to be taken first to the Shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf.

It is then scheduled to be taken to the shrines of Imam Hussein and Hazrat Abbas in the Iraqi city of Karbala before the funeral arrangements continue.