The coffin of Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei is being transported from Iraq's Najaf to Mashhad, where he will be buried on Thursday at the shrine of Imam Reza, concluding six days of funeral ceremonies attended by millions across Iran and Iraq.
According to Iran's Mehr News Agency, Khamenei's coffin left Najaf for Mashhad on Thursday, marking the final stage of funeral ceremonies that have continued across both Iran and Iraq.
Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, head of Khamenei's office, said the late leader had personally requested to be buried near the holy shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad.
Millions attend funeral ceremonies
The funeral processions drew millions of mourners in several cities.
According to Iranian authorities:
- Millions attended funeral prayers in Tehran on Monday.
- Further funeral ceremonies were held in Qom on Tuesday.
- The body was later taken to Najaf, where funeral prayers were offered at the shrine of Hazrat Ali (RA).
- It was then transported to Karbala, where it was taken to the shrines of Imam Hussein (RA) and Hazrat Abbas (RA).
Officials said approximately 3.8 million people gathered around the shrine in Najaf, while nearly 7 million mourners participated in the ceremonies in Karbala.
Burial at Imam Reza shrine
Khamenei will be buried alongside members of his family within the premises of the holy shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, bringing to an end one of the largest state funeral processions in the region's recent history.
