The final farewell process for Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officially commenced on Friday morning, drawing a massive gathering of international dignitaries and political figures to the capital city of Tehran. The mortal remains of the leader were brought to the Grand Mosalla of Tehran in the early hours, where leaders from across the globe have started arriving to pay their last respects. According to reports from Iran's Mehr News Agency, guests from more than 100 countries are expected to reach Tehran to participate in the funeral ceremonies, highlighting the significant geopolitical weight of the event.
Indian Representation and Political Participation
The Indian government has sent a formal delegation to represent the nation at the funeral. While an invitation was extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the final journey of Khamenei, the Prime Minister isn't attending in person. Instead, the Indian government is being represented by the Governor of Bihar, Saiyid Ata Hasnain, and the Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita. In addition to the official government representatives, an invitation was also sent to the Bharatiya Janata Party National President Nitin Nabin, though there has been no confirmation regarding his attendance.
The political spectrum of India is well-represented as several opposition leaders also received invitations. While Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge was invited, he isn't attending the ceremony. However, senior Congress leader and former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has reached Iran to participate. Khurshid stated that he's attending as a representative of the Congress party and President Kharge, and the Iranian authorities have been duly informed of this arrangement. Other Congress leaders like Pawan Khera also received invitations, while from Jammu and Kashmir, former Chief Minister and PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti has traveled to Iran for the funeral. Images have surfaced showing Salman Khurshid and Mehbooba Mufti standing before the casket of Khamenei. Another invitee from Kashmir, Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi Al Safvi, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Anjuman-e-Sharia Shia, was reportedly prevented from traveling, while an Anjuman spokesperson claimed that he was stopped by immigration authorities at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and his passport was seized.
Global Leaders and International Attendance
Iran is utilizing the funeral of its top leader to demonstrate its international standing and alliances. Representatives from Russia, China, Pakistan, Georgia, and Cuba have arrived in Tehran. The Pakistani delegation is particularly high-profile, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Other notable attendees include the Prime Minister of Armenia, President Nizar Amidi of Iraq, Speaker Nuruddin of the Uzbekistan Parliament, the President of Tajikistan, and the President of Iraqi Kurdistan. The Speaker of the Qatar Shura Council and the President of Georgia are also among the dignitaries. Plus, leaders from the Resistance Front across Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Morocco, and Turkey, as well as the family of Lebanese leader Nasrallah, have joined the final farewell.
Notably, the Iranian Foreign Ministry didn't extend invitations to European countries that supported the military actions of Israel and the United States against Iran. There is currently no official information regarding the participation of representatives from GCC countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait.
Funeral Timeline and Background of Death
The funeral follows a strict multi-day schedule leading up to the burial. On the night of July 2, the body was taken to his residence where the attack had occurred. On Friday morning, July 3, the body was placed at the Mosalla for foreign guests to pay tribute. The public will be allowed to pay their respects on July 4 and July 5. A massive procession is scheduled in Tehran on July 6, followed by another in Qom, the center of Shia Islamic scholarship, on July 7. On July 8, the body will be taken to Karbala and Najaf in Iraq for public viewing. Finally, on July 9, Khamenei will be buried in Mashhad, his place of birth.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei passed away on February 28, 2026, following a joint military strike by the United States and Israel. The attack also claimed the lives of his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and 3 year old granddaughter. His body had been kept preserved since then due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. While a deal has been signed between the two nations, tensions remain high as the agreement isn't yet final. The Iranian military reiterated on Friday their commitment to seeking revenge for his death.