Sistani's son says father unable to lead Khamenei funeral prayer due to health

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The son of Iraq's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said his father cannot lead the funeral prayer for Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei because of health reasons, Iranian media reported. In a message to Iran's religious leadership, Mohammed Reza Sistani said the prayer over the body of the "Martyr Revolution Leader" should have been performed by his father, but his condition does not allow it. Khamenei's funeral ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday morning in Najaf, with the body later to be transported to Karbala at 4 p.m., according to the report. An official source said Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zidani will be among those receiving the body at Najaf International Airport on Tuesday evening. At a press conference in Najaf, Security Media Cell head Lieutenant General Saad Maan called for the ceremonies not to be politicized or used beyond their intended purpose. Maan said no individual is barred from attending and outlined a 6-kilometer procession route in Najaf and a 5.8-kilometer route in Karbala. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Khamenei's eldest son are expected to take part in the Iraqi ceremonies on Tuesday. After the Najaf and Karbala rites, the body will be buried on Thursday in Mashhad, Khamenei's birthplace, Iranian media reported.