Khamenei funeral procession reaches holy city of Najaf

Assessment

This procession into Najaf, a major Shia pilgrimage site, signals where Khamenei's final resting place will be and reinforces the link between Iranian and Iraqi Shia religious centers. The involvement of a holy city elevates the event beyond a political funeral into a major religious occasion. Watch for how this affects Iran's succession process and whether it shifts the domestic political dynamics around choosing a new Supreme Leader.