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Funeral processions held in holy Iraqi cities for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· July 8, 2026
· 1 min read
NAJAF, Iraq (AP) — Thousands of mourners attended funeral processions for Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday in the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala as part of dayslong funeral ceremonies for the Islamic Republic's late supreme leader. The ceremonies began on Saturday, with authorit...
Key takeaway The ceremonies began on Saturday, with authorities shutting down streets, airspace and daily life in Tehran, [...
Why this matters in The Odessa
The funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, now underway in Iraq, may seem like a distant event to Odessa residents, but its impact could be felt in the Permian Basin. As a major oil-producing region, the Permian Basin is closely tied to global energy markets, which can be affected by geopolitical developments in the Middle East. Any instability or changes in Iran's leadership could potentially influence oil prices, having a ripple effect on the local economy. With Odessa's economy heavily reliant on the oil and gas industry, residents may want to keep a close eye on how the transition of power in Iran unfolds and how it may impact their community. The Permian Basin's energy industry is a significant driver of local jobs and economic growth, making global events like this one relevant to Odessa's economic well-being.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NAJAF, Iraq (AP) — Thousands of mourners attended funeral processions for Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday in the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala as part of dayslong funeral ceremonies for the Islamic Republic's late supreme leader. The ceremonies began on Saturday, with authorit...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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