Quds Force Commander Says Martyred Khamenei Funeral in Iraq Will Strengthen Iran-Iraq Ties

The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, said the upcoming funeral procession for Martyred Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in Iraq would strengthen ties between the Iranian and Iraqi peoples. In a statement released ahead of the ceremonies in Najaf and Karbala, Qaani described the event as a symbol of shared solidarity and unity.

According to Qaani, the Iraqi government’s preparations and public participation in hosting the funeral reflect the deep religious and cultural connections between the two neighboring countries. He said the gathering would reinforce what he described as a shared commitment to justice and resistance among supporters of the movement.

Qaani also highlighted the role of Ayatollah Khamenei’s supporters in Iraq and referred to the fight against Daesh alongside Iraqi forces. He recalled the 2020 US strike near Baghdad airport that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, describing them as figures associated with sacrifice for both nations.