Najaf: The body of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was recently slain, arrived in the Iraqi city of Najaf on Tuesday for a funeral procession, as reported by Iranian state TV. This marks a significant event as the region prepares to bid farewell to a prominent figure in Shia Islam.

According to Anadolu Agency, the arrival of Khamenei's coffin is part of an extensive procession that will carry his body through key Shia holy sites across Iran and Iraq. This journey is set to culminate at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Khamenei's hometown, where he is scheduled to be laid to rest on July 9.

The death of Khamenei occurred during US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on February 28, an event that has provoked weeks of retaliatory attacks from Tehran targeting Israel and Gulf nations housing US assets. The situation has escalated tensions in the region, with the funeral procession being closely watched by both regional and international observers.