The body of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is being transferred from the holy Iraqi city of Najaf to Mashhad, where he will be buried on Thursday, marking the final stage of a six-day state funeral.

According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, the transfer follows a series of official mourning ceremonies and religious observances held across Iran and Iraq. Large crowds paid their respects in Najaf, Karbala and several other cities during the funeral procession.

Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, head of Khamenei’s office, said the late leader had expressed a wish to be buried near the Shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad. Iranian authorities said his request would be honored during Thursday’s burial ceremony.

The state funeral began in Tehran last Friday, where senior officials, religious leaders, foreign dignitaries and thousands of mourners gathered to pay their final respects. The body was later taken to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before returning to Iran.

Khamenei was killed on February 28 during joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, according to Iranian authorities. His death triggered a wider regional conflict as Iran launched retaliatory attacks against U.S. and Israeli targets. After weeks of fighting, the two sides reached a preliminary peace agreement last month, bringing the conflict to a halt.