Iraqis in Najaf prepare for Khamenei’s procession

(7 Jul 2026) IRAQ KHAMENEI FUNERAL PREPARATION SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS RESTRICTION SUMMARY: LENGTH: 3:26 ASSOCIATED PRESS Najaf, Iraq - 7 July 2026 1. Various of Iran and Hezbollah flags with posters of former Iranian leaders, such as late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who was Iran's first Supreme Leader, and Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's current leader; poster with Ali Khamenei (right) reading (Arabic): "Speak of loyalty in the Iraqi dialect" 2. Close of Ali Khamenei poster in the city, cars 3. Various of security forces and patrols deployed in the city, including Iraq's Popular Mobilization forces 4. Poster of Iraq and Iran flags with writing referring to the funeral, reading (Arabic): “The funeral for the Imam of oppressed people (meaning Ali Khamenei) - obey Allah.” 5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hadi Jawad, funeral participant from Basra province: “Actually, it is a dream to be a participant walking behind the body of the honorable (Ali) Khamenei, this is the highest of honours. I came from the province of Basra, and everyone will be surprised by the number of people coming from Basra and other southern provinces. There are convoys that are composed of 100 to 150 buses." 6. Stall distributing free food to visitors 7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hadi Jawad, funeral participant from Basra province: "There has been a public call. Houses and markets closed in Basra province, and the same thing happened in other southern provinces according to my contacts with some brothers in these cities. It is the same situation in the rest of the provinces. This is a calamity; Imam Khamenei provided a lot for the Iraqi people. So, it is a priority to pay back his deeds, at least to be participants walking behind the virtuous body.” 8. Various of truck distributing free food to visitors 9. Various of Najaf streets 10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abdullah Qassim, funeral participant: “The funeral procession of the honorable Khamenei, (which will bring millions) represents the whole of Shiite followers, whether they are in the Islamic Republic (of Iran), in Iraq, or in any other part of the world. This sends a message to the criminal arrogance world which disregards the sanctity of life of clerics and martyrs and encroach the Islamic lands. Now, we are fulfilling our duty by participating in the funeral tomorrow, and that we are on the path of Imam Hussein, peace be on him, in terms of the principles, belief, and struggle. We are a nation that doesn't accept humiliation, disgrace, or despair.” 11. Various of posters showing killed former Iranian Shiite leaders, and Mojtaba Khamenei ahead of funeral procession STORYLINE: Security was tight in the Iraqi city of Najaf on Tuesday ahead of the arrival of late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's coffin later in the evening. Hundreds of Iraqi security forces, including members of Popular Mobilization Forces, were deployed on main streets. The Popular Mobilization Forces, which was formed in 2014 to fight the Sunni militant Islamic State group, has many groups that still keep their own command and ties to Iran. Visitors from various provinces across the country are expected to participate in the funeral procession, which will be held on Wednesday, in Najaf and Karbala. Volunteers have installed stalls to provide free food and drinks to visiting mourners, and the city's streets were strewn with posters depicting Khamenei, his son and current Supreme Leader Mojataba Khamenei, and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution. For many, he was seen as more than just Iran’s theocratic ruler since 1989. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...