Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, announced that more than 2.3 million people participated in a mourning procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the holy city of Najaf. The statement, broadcast on Iran’s state media IRIB on Wednesday, said people from across Iraq joined the event, with the number of mourners continuing to rise.

As part of several days of farewell ceremonies, Khamenei’s body was taken to Najaf. Similar commemorations were also organized in Qom, Karbala, and his hometown of Mashhad. The funeral prayer was first held at the shrine of Hazrat Ali (RA), followed by the official mourning procession that began at 6 a.m. local time in Najaf.

The procession moved from the shrine through Kufa Bridge and Thawrat al-Ashreen Square toward Al-Sadrin Square before Khamenei’s body was taken to Karbala, marking a major moment in the multi-day mourning events.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s body was brought to Najaf, Iraq, where millions of mourners gathered for a funeral procession on Tuesday night. The procession began at the Al-Kufa Bridge and moved toward the shrine of Imam Ali, one of the holiest sites for Shia Muslims. Video footage showed Najaf transformed into a sea of people as Khamenei’s coffin and family members arrived by plane.

Following several days of memorial events in Iran, the funeral ceremonies were transferred to Iraq. Officials confirmed that Khamenei’s body will also be taken to Karbala, where additional processions are planned. Experienced Iraqi officials and volunteers have been preparing for the upcoming ceremonies in Karbala.

Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Revolution, was killed on February 28 in a U.S.-Israeli attack along with members of his family and senior officials, according to the report.

Extensive preparations are underway in Iraq’s Karbala for the funeral of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, described by Iranian and Iraqi officials as a symbol of unity between the two nations. Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, said the ceremonies in Najaf and Karbala would strengthen solidarity between the peoples of Iran and Iraq and reinforce their joint stance against U.S. conspiracies.

Qaani emphasized that the Iraqi government’s initiative and the people’s large-scale preparations reflect the deep spiritual and fraternal ties between the two countries. He also recalled the sacrifices of Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as shared symbols of resistance. Karbala Governor Nassif Jassem al-Khattabi confirmed that all security and logistical measures have been completed, with coordination among federal forces, the prime minister’s office, and service agencies.

The funeral will take place in three stages: official ceremonies on Tuesday evening, a procession in Najaf on Wednesday, and final events in Karbala later that day. Authorities expect large crowds and have declared a public holiday in Karbala Province.

Iraqi authorities have arrested 47 officials, including a member of parliament, in a sweeping anti-corruption operation in Baghdad and other provinces. The arrests were carried out early Sunday by security forces led by the counterterrorism unit, targeting the capital’s fortified Green Zone and another city area. The operation follows Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s pledge to combat corruption and assert state control over weapons since taking office with US support.

According to Iraq’s state news agency INA, the detainees include government officials and at least one from the oil ministry. The campaign comes ahead of al-Zaidi’s planned visit to Washington, where he is expected to seek US investment and reaffirm efforts to disarm Iran-backed armed groups. A diplomat in Baghdad told AFP the crackdown is part of preparations for that trip and a signal of the prime minister’s commitment.

Officials said the arrests are part of a broader effort to curb financing of armed groups and smuggling of dollars and Iranian oil. The anti-corruption commission confirmed that the warrants were issued by courts, based partly on confessions from a previously detained oil ministry official.

Iraq has launched a major diplomatic initiative aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East and restoring regional stability. Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced that Iraq has proposed to mediate between the eight member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Iran to resolve existing disagreements. The move follows recent U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran and the closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which has severely affected Iraq’s economy.

According to reports, Hussein discussed the mediation proposal in detail with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused a sharp economic crisis in Iraq, as nearly 95 percent of its national revenue depends on oil exports transported through the waterway. Araghchi’s visit to Iraq also includes coordination for the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to be held in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.

The visit comes at a time when the U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding remains fragile. Tehran reiterated its demand that Washington fully comply with the agreement, particularly the clause calling for ceasefires and an end to hostilities across all fronts, while condemning repeated U.S. attacks on southern Iranian military bases and ports.

Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has launched a wide-ranging anticorruption campaign that has led to multiple arrests of senior officials and the seizure of tens of millions of dollars. The Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council reported that about $86 million in cash, 70 properties, 21 vehicles, and three kilograms of gold were confiscated in a probe involving detained Oil Ministry Undersecretary Adnan al-Jumaili. Al-Jumaili, also head of the Iraqi North Refineries Company, was arrested on May 30 in al-Ishaqi, north of Baghdad. The arrests followed al-Zaidi’s order to review government contracts for evidence of corruption, and the cancellation of a $764 million airport project over suspected irregularities.

The prime minister has also created the Supreme Sovereign Council for Integrity, Oversight and Recovery of Public Funds to monitor ministries and recover state assets. Iraq ranks 136th out of 182 countries in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, reflecting persistent structural issues. Activists and experts say corruption remains deeply embedded in Iraq’s political system, with outdated laws hindering accountability.

Observers have welcomed the initiative but remain cautious, noting that older and politically sensitive corruption cases have yet to be addressed.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has established new secret cells in Iraq to carry out attacks on US military targets stationed in Gulf countries, according to a Reuters report citing eight Iraqi sources. The report states that three to four such cells have been formed, each consisting of about ten selected Iraqi Shia fighters. Between April 20 and May 17, these groups allegedly launched at least seven drone strikes from desert areas near Basra and Samawah toward targets in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Several members of these new units reportedly came from the group known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. The sources said the cells operate outside the group’s usual command structure and report directly to the IRGC. Among the eight sources were two Iraqi military officers, one security official, and five local militia commanders.

According to five militia commanders, the creation of these new Iraqi cells aims to maintain Iran’s regional influence at a time when its proxy forces and domestic resources have significantly weakened.

Iraq’s campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup began with a heavy 4–1 defeat to Norway, but the match became historic for another reason. In the 58th minute, 22-year-old midfielder Zidane Iqbal entered the field, becoming the first footballer of Pakistani origin to play in a FIFA World Cup. Despite Iraq’s disappointing performance, Iqbal’s appearance marked a milestone for both Iraq and South Asian football. Iraq also ended a 40-year drought by scoring their second-ever World Cup goal through striker Ayman Hussein.

Born in Manchester to a Pakistani father and an Iraqi mother, Iqbal was eligible to represent England, Pakistan, or Iraq internationally. He ultimately chose to play for his mother’s country, Iraq. Proud of his mixed heritage, Iqbal wears boots featuring both the Iraqi and Pakistani flags, symbolizing his dual identity. His football journey began at Manchester United’s academy, where he became the first Iraqi to play for the senior team in 2021 before joining Iraq’s national side in 2022.

Although Iraq’s loss was a setback, Iqbal’s debut and Hussein’s goal are expected to remain memorable moments in football history.

The article recounts a series of military campaigns led by Khalid ibn al-Walid during the early Muslim conquest of Iraq. Acting under Caliph Abu Bakr’s directive, Khalid began his operations through Upper Iraq with the strategic goal of capturing Hira, which became the base for subsequent advances. Following the victory at Hira, Khalid moved to secure other key locations including Anbar, Ayn al-Tamr, Dumat al-Jandal, Husayd, Musayyakh, and Firaz, each holding significant military and trade importance.

At Anbar, Khalid overcame fortified defenses, while at Ayn al-Tamr he captured the opposing commander, leading to a swift surrender. His intervention at Dumat al-Jandal relieved besieged Muslim forces and secured a vital junction linking Iraq, Syria, and Arabia. Later victories at Husayd and Musayyakh dismantled new Persian-Arab coalitions attempting to resist Muslim rule. The campaign culminated at Firaz, where Muslim forces defeated a combined Roman, Persian, and Arab army.

These victories, culminating in the Battle of Firaz in the 12th Hijri year, effectively ended major resistance in Iraq and solidified Muslim authority across the region.

Iraq reopened its airspace on Monday after Iran announced the suspension of its military operations against Israel, according to the country’s Civil Aviation Authority. The authority stated that all Iraqi airports are now open for passenger and commercial flights, while officials will continue to monitor and assess the regional situation closely.

The decision follows Iraq’s earlier move to close its airspace for 72 hours after Iran launched missile attacks on Israel on Sunday evening. That attack marked the first breach of the Middle East ceasefire that had been in effect since April 8. The reopening signals a cautious return to normal air operations as regional tensions remain high.

Authorities emphasized that surveillance of the situation will continue, suggesting that future airspace decisions will depend on developments in the Iran-Israel conflict.

Iraq’s national football team faced an unexpected controversy upon arriving in the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Star striker Aymen Hussein was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours by US immigration authorities at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. After the lengthy interrogation and a detailed inspection of his mobile phone, Hussein was eventually allowed to enter the country. However, the team’s official photographer, Talal Salah, was denied entry after being held for more than ten hours and having his phone searched.

According to an Iraqi Football Association official, US Customs and Border Protection officers closely monitored the team upon arrival. Hussein, aged 30, was separated from his teammates immediately after disembarking. His decisive goal against Bolivia in the playoffs had secured Iraq’s place in the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

The incident has cast a shadow over Iraq’s historic qualification, raising concerns about the team’s preparation and morale ahead of the tournament.

Two Bangladeshi youths from Madarganj upazila in Jamalpur district were killed in a road accident in Iraq’s Kurdistan province early Monday, Bangladesh time. The victims were identified as Bazlur Rashid, 38, and Monohar Ali, 36. Both were working at a confectionery shop in Iraq and were hit by a speeding private car while crossing the road on their way home. Police recovered their bodies and sent them to a local hospital morgue.

Family sources said Monohar Ali had gone to Iraq four years ago after taking a loan, while Bazlur Rashid had been there for one and a half years. Neither had valid documents or work permits. Their families in Jamalpur have been devastated by the news. Both men left behind wives and two children each.

Local administration officials said they learned about the incident through social media and advised the families to contact the Bangladesh Embassy in Iraq for repatriation of the bodies. Authorities also plan to inform higher officials to facilitate the process.

Iraq has deployed its maritime control, search, and rescue teams to locate two Bolivian-flagged ships that went missing in the Persian Gulf. The vessels, named Bridge 1 and Bridge 2, lost all communication, prompting Iraqi authorities to begin coordinated search operations, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

The General Company for Ports of Iraq stated that security authorities from several Gulf ports and the ships’ owners contacted Iraqi officials after losing contact with the vessels. The company confirmed that neither ship entered Iraqi territorial waters and that no distress signals were received from their crews. Port authorities said they currently have no information about the ships’ exact locations.

Iraq emphasized that tracking efforts are continuing through satellite monitoring in close coordination with regional search and rescue administrations to determine the ships’ positions.

The New York Times has reported that Israel’s military operated two secret bases in Iraq’s western desert, including one near the town of Al-Nukhayb. According to the report, Israeli forces allegedly killed a shepherd and an Iraqi soldier to conceal the existence of one of the sites. The shepherd was identified as 29-year-old Awad al-Shammari. Regional officials cited by the newspaper said the base was established before the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States and was used during a 12-day war against Iran last year. It reportedly served for air support, refueling, and medical assistance.

The report added that the United States was aware of the base, implying Washington withheld this information from Baghdad despite the presence of a hostile foreign force on Iraqi soil. The newly revealed base is said to be separate from another previously reported Israeli facility described by The Wall Street Journal as a logistics hub for the Israeli Air Force. Iraq has not yet issued an official response, though a military spokesperson reiterated that Iraq will not allow its territory to be used for attacks on other countries.

Iraq announced that it exported around 10 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz in April, according to Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed. The report highlights that despite recent war-related tensions and concerns over maritime security in the region, oil shipments through this vital route have continued without disruption.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy transport corridors. Analysts noted that even amid ongoing instability in the Middle East, the strait continues to serve as a stable and indispensable route for global energy supply. Iraq’s oil minister also indicated that the country is in discussions with OPEC to increase both production and exports.

The continued flow of oil through the strait suggests resilience in global energy logistics despite regional security challenges, reinforcing the strategic importance of this maritime passage for international trade.