The bodies of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family arrived at Mashhad’s Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport on Thursday ahead of the final funeral procession and burial ceremonies.

The arrival followed a delay caused by the massive turnout at farewell ceremonies in Iraq, where millions of mourners gathered in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala to pay their final respects.

According to the committee overseeing the burial arrangements, the funeral procession in Mashhad was rescheduled from 8am to 2pm local time after the unprecedented crowds in Iraq extended the farewell ceremonies.

Khamenei’s body will be carried along Imam Reza (AS) Street to the shrine of Imam Reza (AS), where the final rites and burial are due to take place.

Ayatollah Khamenei was assassinated alongside several members of his family on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

The multi-day funeral began in Tehran, where foreign dignitaries, religious scholars and thousands of mourners attended official ceremonies before millions joined the funeral procession through the capital.

The ceremonies later moved to the holy city of Qom and then to Iraq, where millions gathered in Najaf and Karbala for farewell processions before the bodies were flown back to Iran.

Thousands of Iranians from across the country have travelled to Mashhad to attend the final farewell and burial ceremonies for the slain Supreme Leader.