According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, the bodies were brought to the shrine of Imam Hussein (RA) after earlier funeral ceremonies in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf.

The commemorations in Karbala and Najaf were part of a week-long memorial programme following Khamenei’s death in a February 28 air strike by US and Israeli armies in Tehran.

Earlier, mourners marched through Iraq’s holy city of Najaf on Wednesday, after the arrival of ​the coffins of assassinated Iranian leader Ayatollah ‌Ali Khamenei and his family members.

People carrying large portraits of ​the late leader gathered along the route ⁠and chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” as ​Khamenei’s coffin was driven on a large truck ​through the streets.

Iraqi and Iranian flags fluttered above the crowd, alongside the banners of Iraqi armed groups ​whose supporters joined the procession.

Khamenei’s coffin arrived on Tuesday evening at Najaf’s international airport, where Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi, ​senior officials and ​religious ⁠figures attended an official reception.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Islamic Revolutionary Guard ​Corps commanders also arrived to take ​part in ⁠the procession, which is expected to continue to the Iraqi shrine city of Karbala before the ⁠coffin ​is returned to Iran ​for burial.

The ceremonies in Iraq are expected to conclude later on Wednesday, after which the bodies will be flown back to Iran for burial in the northeastern city of Mashhad on Thursday.