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Funeral processions begin in Najaf for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
By Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 8, 2026
· 3 min read
Funeral processions for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began Wednesday in the Iraqi city of Najaf with thousands of mourners present.The Islamic Republic's dayslong funeral for Khamenei began Saturday, with authorities shutting down streets, airspace and daily life in Tehran as...
Key takeaway His body will later be taken from Najaf to the city of Karbala before returning to Iran.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's sizable Iranian and Iraqi communities are likely watching the funeral proceedings for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with great interest, given the city's cultural and religious diversity. The fact that talks between the United States and Iran are on hold until after the burial may have implications for local families with ties to both countries, who may be affected by any potential escalation or de-escalation of tensions. Additionally, San Antonio's role as a major military hub, with several bases in the area, means that the city's residents may be paying close attention to the developments in the Persian Gulf, particularly the recent strikes and retaliatory measures. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to consider how local communities and families may be impacted by the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran. The city's Iranian and Iraqi communities may also be holding their own memorial services or gatherings to pay respects to the late supreme leader.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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What is this story about? Funeral processions for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began Wednesday in the Iraqi city of Najaf with thousands of mourners present.The Islamic Republic's dayslong funeral for Khamenei began Saturday, with authorities shutting down streets, airspace and daily life in Tehran as...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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