Iran’s supreme leader leads prayers during funeral of senior Guards adviser

People carry the coffin of senior adviser for Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Sayyed Razi Mousavi, who was killed in an Israeli air strike outside the Syrian capital Damascus, during his funeral in Najaf, Iraq. (Reuters)
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  • His body was flown from Syria to Najaf in Iraq before being taken to Tehran
  • Mourners chanted “Death to America, Death to Israel” during funeral service for Mousavi in Iraq

NAJAF, Iraq: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei led prayers on Thursday at the funeral of Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a senior Revolutionary Guards adviser who was killed in what Iran said was an Israeli air strike in Syria.
Khamenei paid tribute “to this martyr’s tireless struggle and called for his companionship with the guardians of God,” state TV said.
His body was flown from Syria to the holy Shiite city of Najaf in Iraq before being taken to Tehran.
An Israeli military spokesperson declined specific comment about Mousavi’s death on Monday, but said it took whatever action that was necessary to defend the country.
Since the eruption of war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, Iran-backed groups have mounted operations against Israel, while others, including militias in Iraq, have threatened US interests.
Israel has for years carried out attacks against what it describes as Iran-linked targets in Syria, where Tehran’s influence has grown since it backed President Bashar Assad in the civil war that erupted in Syria in 2011.