ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The body of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei touched down in Najaf on Tuesday night, received by several high-profile Iraqi political figures, ahead of large-scale funeral processions in the country over the coming days.

Among the names attending the reception ceremony at Najaf International Airport were Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Sunni strongman former parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, Asaib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais al-Khazali, and National Wisdom Movement chief Ammar al-Hakim.

A high-level Iranian delegation headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian is accompanying the body of the Iranian leader.

Zaidi reiterated his condolences to Pezeshkian upon his arrival and emphasized “the depth of relations between the two countries and the commitment to strengthening and enhancing them in various fields,” according to a statement from his office.

Pezeshkian expressed his country’s gratitude towards Iraq and its efforts for hosting the funeral in their country, the statement said.

On February 28, Khamenei, 86, from Mashhad, was killed in a US-Israeli strike on his compound in Tehran. He served as Iran’s highest political and religious authority for nearly 37 years, making him the country’s longest-serving leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Khamenei was a leading opponent of the US and Israel, advancing the Islamic Republic’s ideology by supporting regional proxies against both countries and calling for their elimination.

He is set to be taken to his hometown of Mashhad late Wednesday, with the burial ceremony scheduled to begin early Thursday.

Official funeral ceremonies will begin in Najaf early Wednesday, after which Khamenei’s body will be taken to Karbala, an official from the committee overseeing Khamenei’s funeral told Iraqi state media.

"The province has completed all logistical preparations for the event,” under the direct supervision of relevant authorities, Najaf Governor Youssef Kanawi told state media.

Muhannad al-Aqabi, media head of the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), told state medja that “this gathering will be the largest in Iraq’s history, based on indicators and statistics.”

Iran began the funeral processions for Khamenei on Friday, with regional and international leaders, diplomats, and official delegations arriving in Tehran to attend the ceremonies. The ceremony was held more than four months after his death.