Tehran: Top Iranian leaders and international delegations convened at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran on Friday for the funeral ceremonies of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli air strikes on February 28. Heads of all three branches of the Iranian government, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, were present alongside senior military and diplomatic figures to pay their final respects.
High-profile Indian dignitaries paid tributes ahead of the formal state ceremonies. Highlighting the diplomatic engagement, the Embassy of Iran in India shared images of People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid heading to Tehran. Following them, an official Indian government delegation led by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Syed Ata Hasnain also departed from New Delhi to participate in the high-profile state proceedings.
World leaders and top-ranking military officials have descended upon the Iranian capital. According to state broadcaster Press TV, Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir are among those attending. Delegations from Russia, China, Oman, and Belarus, along with representatives from regional groups and families of late commanders, also paid their respects.
The domestic security environment remains highly sensitive following regional provocations, including past statements from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. Due to severe security risks, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, will not attend the public funeral events for his father. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and military commanders have strictly warned external adversaries against any miscalculations, promising severe and immediate retaliation to any threats during the national mourning period.
President Pezeshkian has urged citizens of all backgrounds to participate in the proceedings to showcase national unity. The body of the late leader will lie in state at the Grand Mosalla for a two-day public farewell before a massive funeral procession in Tehran on Monday. Further rites are scheduled across the holy city of Qom and Iraqi cities including Baghdad, Karbala, and Najaf, culminating in the final burial in Mashhad on July 9.
