محمد همدر

Reviews the historical trajectory of Iraq’s Shia community from Saddam Hussein’s repression through the Iran–Iraq War to the post‑2003 political landscape. Outlines the evolving role of major clerical authorities, including Ali Sistani, and the influence of Iran on Iraqi Shia groups. Examines the deepening regional rivalry involving Iran, the United States and armed factions in Iraq, culminating in renewed tensions surrounding the death of Ali Khamenei and the security fallout across the region.

Massive crowds attended the 1989 funeral of Ruhollah Khomeini, whose death triggered one of the largest gatherings in modern history. Over 10 million people converged on Tehran, overwhelming security forces and causing chaotic scenes that disrupted the burial process. Authorities repeatedly halted and redirected the funeral procession, eventually transporting the body by helicopter after crowd surges made ground movement impossible. Several deaths and hundreds of injuries occurred amid the pressure of the masses. With Iran preparing for Ali Khamenei’s funeral following his recent killing, the scale and symbolism of Khomeini’s burial are being revisited, highlighting both leaders’ central political and religious roles and ongoing divisions over their legacy.