The body of Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has travelled across two countries over six days, moving by road, helicopter and fighter jet-escorted aircraft, and in one instance, a refrigerated truck carrying Finnish supermarket branding.
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Khamenei's final journey began with his body lying in state for two days at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex. Mourners filed past the coffins of Khamenei and several family members, his infant granddaughter, son-in-law, daughter and daughter-in-law, all killed in the February 28 US-Israeli strikes.
On July 6, Khamenei's body began a 12-hour procession through Tehran, carried on a trailer through crowds of mourners who threw flower petals on the coffins. From there, a helicopter transported the bodies to Qom, landing at the courtyard of the Jamkaran Mosque. The coffins were flown around the Shrine of Fatima Masumeh as a gesture of respect before being transferred for the next stage.
The Iraq leg
The coffins were then transported to Iraq, first arriving in Najaf, home to the shrine of Imam Ali, one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam. Iraqi officials declared a public holiday, and authorities said more than two million mourners attended.
From Najaf, the coffins moved to Karbala, where they were unloaded from a refrigerated truck. The vehicle bore branding resembling Finland's K Group, orange-and-white markings matching the retail chain's visual identity, prompting Finnish retailer Kesko to launch an investigation.
