• Thousands mourn as Khamenei's funeral processions take place in Najaf, Iraq.
• Chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" echoed during the ceremonies.
• Khamenei's body will be flown to Karbala after the Najaf procession for further ceremonies.
• His burial is set for Thursday in Mashhad, Iran.
• The new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared in public since the airstrike.

Thousands of mourners have descended upon the holy city of Najaf, Iraq, to participate in the funeral processions for Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed amidst a war with the U.S. and Israel. The ceremonies commenced at 6 AM local time and included a large procession carrying Khamenei's coffin towards the shrine of Imam Ali, a site of immense significance for Shiite Muslims. Iraqi authorities declared a public holiday for the occasion, with estimates of "hundreds of thousands" attending to pay their respects, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.

As mourners processed through the streets, chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" were prominent, expressing the collective anger towards these nations, whom they hold responsible for Khamenei's death. The coffin was transported on a large truck with glass protection, allowing attendees to glimpse the remains as prayers were held at key Shiite shrines, including the mausoleum of Imam Ali, underscoring the emotional significance of the event, according to Africanews and BBC.

Following the ceremonies in Najaf, Khamenei's remains are set to be flown to Karbala for another procession, culminating at the shrine of Imam Hussein. These events are part of a series of public funeral ceremonies that Iran commenced, including a dedicated day for Iraq. His burial is scheduled for Thursday in Mashhad, Iran, amplifying the historical and political significance of these proceedings, according to Al Jazeera and Africanews.

The new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has notably been absent from the public eye since the airstrikes that claimed the life of his father. Reportedly wounded during the strikes, his continued absence adds a layer of uncertainty to the events that have unfolded in the wake of Khamenei's assassination, which has drawn sharp responses from Iran’s leadership regarding U.S. actions in the region, as reported by BBC and Africanews.