TEHRAN -- Around 300 Iraqi tribal sheikhs, leaders and notables visited the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in Mashhad on Thursday before proceeding to pay their respects at the tomb of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
The delegation arrived in Mashhad on Wednesday and was welcomed at Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport by Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, accompanied by provincial officials. 
The visit reflects the close ties between Iran and Iraq and recognizes the loyalty shown by Iraqi tribes to the martyred Leader.
The Iraqi tribal figures’ visit was organized as an expression of gratitude for their participation in the funeral ceremonies held in Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on July 8, when millions of mourners gathered for the funeral processions of Ayatollah Khamenei.
Reports indicated that over 2.3 million people participated in the first hour of the procession in Najaf alone, prompting Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to declare a national holiday. 
In Karbala, the Popular Mobilization Forces reported that more than four million pilgrims took part in the farewell ceremonies. 
The Supreme Committee organizing the funeral ceremonies in Iraq later announced that preliminary estimates indicated more than 10 million people attended the processions across Najaf and Karbala.
The final funeral rites were held in Mashhad, where Ayatollah Khamenei was laid to rest at the shrine of Imam Reza (AS), in accordance with his will.
During their visit to the Razavi shrine, the Iraqi guests gathered in the Enghelab courtyard before the steel window, where tears flowed and cries of “O Guarantor of the Deer” echoed through the spiritual expanse, according to Astan Quds Razavi’s news service. 
As they proceeded into the Dar al-Zikr portico, the space resonated with eulogies and chants of “Hayhat min al-Zillah” and “Labbayk ya Khamenei,” and a renewal of allegiance that arose from the depths of their souls. 
A ceremony honoring the Iraqi and Khuzestani tribal sheikhs was scheduled for Thursday with approximately 400 Iraqi and Iranian guests in attendance, with Ayatollah Ahmad Marvi, chief custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, delivering a speech. The spiritual visit was to conclude with participation in Friday Prayer at the Razavi shrine.
The U.S.-Israeli aggression on February 28 led to the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, along with his family members and several senior military commanders. The assassination marked the opening strike of a terrorist assassination campaign by the United States and Israel and ushered in a decisive phase of the 40-day war imposed on the Islamic Republic.