Iraq declares three days of mourning over killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei

Iraq declares three days of mourning over killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei

Iraq’s government has announced three days of national mourning after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli attack, warning the assassination risks driving regional tensions to unprecedented levels.

Iraq on Sunday declared a three-day national mourning period to honour Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a strike on his Tehran compound. Government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi offered condolences to “the noble people of Iran and the entire Muslim world” and condemned the killing as a “blatant act of aggression”.

The move reflects Iran’s strong sway over Iraqi politics and security, where Tehran backs powerful Shia factions and militias. Iraq, which hosts both US forces and Iran-aligned armed groups, has often found itself on the front line of tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Shia parties and figures in Iraq hailed Khamenei as a “martyred leader” and vowed his death would not weaken their camp, while some declared parallel mourning periods and organised rallies.

Analysts say Baghdad’s gesture highlights fears that any further escalation between Iran, the United States and Israel could quickly spill over into Iraq, drawing in Iran-backed militias and threatening the country’s fragile stability.