Iran invites India’s PM Modi to Ayatollah Khamenei’s state funeral

Preparations are in their final stages for the state funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with ceremonies set to begin on Friday, more than four months after his death. The unusually long gap between his killing and burial has raised questions, making the delay itself a major talking point ahead of the week-long farewell. The state funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei, killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on his compound in February, begins this Friday July 4thCeremonies run through July 9th across Tehran, Qom and Mashhad, with his body traveling to Iraq for processions in Najaf and Karbala… pic.twitter.com/w0gfZqDzVh— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 29, 2026 Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for nearly 37 years, was killed on February 28 during US-Israeli strikes on Tehran at the outset of the Middle East conflict. His funeral had initially been scheduled for March 4 but was postponed as hostilities intensified. Iranian authorities later indicated that the burial would take place in early Muharram, but that timeline also slipped.Reasons behind the delayThe repeated postponements have coincided with continued regional conflict, sensitive nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, and a transition in Iran's political leadership. Observers believe these developments have made the timing of the funeral significant not only from a religious perspective but also politically and diplomatically.#WATCH | Delhi | Congress leader Salman Khurshid to attend the state funeral ceremony of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in IranHe says, "I am representing the party and will attend the state funeral ceremony of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei..." pic.twitter.com/61muEOBgIG— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2026 The state funeral will commence in Tehran on July 4 before moving through several cities in Iran and Iraq, concluding with Khamenei's burial in Mashhad on July 9. Ceremonies are also planned in the holy city of Qom. Mashhad, one of Shia Islam's holiest cities, has been chosen as his final resting place.Iranian officials expect the funeral to be among the largest public gatherings in the country's history, with estimates suggesting up to 20 million people could participate across multiple events. Authorities have put in place extensive security and logistical arrangements for the ceremonies.Invitation to Indian leadersThe funeral has also attracted international attention. According to reports, Masoud Pezeshkian had extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month. India will reportedly be represented by Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita.India To Send Delegation For Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral In Iran; Union Minister Pabitra Margherita, Bihar Governor To Attend: ReportInvitations have also been sent to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leaders Salman Khurshid and Pawan Khera, BJP leader Nitin Nabin, and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.Confirming her participation, Mehbooba Mufti described the invitation as "an immense honour" and said she would travel to Iran to pay her final respects to the slain Supreme Leader.

Iran will hold the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from 4 to 9 July. Notable Indian leaders have been invited, but PM Modi is unlikely to attend. Check full list of BJP, Congress and PDP leaders invited and who will represent India.

Tehran had also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend Khamenei's funeral. However, New Delhi chose Bihar governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) and minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita to represent India at the multi-day funeral, which is set to begin on July 4.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ahead of the state funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian President had earlier sent a formal invitation to PM Modi to attend the funeral ceremonies for Khamenei. Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita will represent India at the funeral ceremony.

The Iranian president had earlier invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Khamenei's funeral.

New Delhi: The Indian government will send a high-level delegation to Iran to attend the funeral ceremonies of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, according to reports quoting government sources.Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain will represent India at the funeral and related commemorative events, India Today reported on Monday, quoting sources. Iranian President Invites PM Modi For Ayatollah Khamenei's FuneralThe development comes days after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the state funeral and burial ceremonies of Ayatollah Khamenei, diplomatic sources cited by PTI.Iran is set to hold week-long mourning and commemorative events from July 4 to July 9 across multiple cities in the country. The ceremonies will begin in Tehran, where Khamenei’s body is expected to lie in state at the Grand Mosalla complex on July 4 and July 5, allowing thousands of mourners and members of the public to pay their final respects.A large state funeral procession is scheduled to take place on July 6 in Tehran, with authorities declaring public holidays across the province during the mourning period. Hassan Hassanzadeh, a commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) overseeing arrangements, stated that farewell prayers and ceremonial tributes would be held before the burial procession.Iran Invites PM Modi To Attend Ayatollah Khamenei’s State FuneralDetails Of Arrangements Ahead Of FuneralIranian authorities estimate that nearly 20 million people could participate in the ceremonies and related memorial events across the country. Following the Tehran ceremonies, commemorative events will continue in the religious cities of Qom and Mashhad. A tribute ceremony is planned in Qom on July 7, while Ayatollah Khamenei is scheduled to be buried at the revered Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad on July 9. Neighbouring Iraq will also host memorial events on July 8 in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala as part of the regional mourning observances.India had earlier expressed condolences following Khamenei’s death. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi and signed the condolence book on behalf of the Indian government.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the state funeral and burial ceremonies of the country’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, according to diplomatic sources cited by PTI.Indian media report that Iran's President Pezeshkian invited Prime Minister Modi for an extended visit that would include Khamenei's funeral events.— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 24, 2026 Invitation extended to ModiThe invitation comes as Iran prepares for week-long commemorative events scheduled from July 4 to July 9 across multiple cities. The ceremonies will begin in Tehran, where Khamenei’s body is expected to lie in state at the Grand Mosalla complex on July 4 and 5, allowing members of the public to pay their respects.Funeral and burial plansA state funeral procession is slated for July 6, with Tehran province observing public holidays during the mourning period. Hassan Hassanzadeh, an IRGC commander overseeing the arrangements, said farewell prayers and ceremonies would precede the funeral before the body is taken for burial.Iran Announces Six-Day Funeral Programme For Ayatollah Khamenei, Burial Scheduled At Imam Reza Shrine On July 9Iranian authorities estimate that nearly 20 million people could participate in the events. Following ceremonies in the capital, commemorations will continue in the religious cities of Qom and Mashhad. A tribute is planned in Qom on July 7, while Khamenei is scheduled to be buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad on July 9.Neighbouring Iraq will also hold memorial events on July 8 in Najaf and Karbala. India had earlier conveyed its condolences, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signing the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi.

Iran invites PM Modi to attend Ayatollah Ali Khameneis funeral Sources

The funeral ceremonies will be held from July 5 to 9. The Indian side is yet to take a call on the invitation.

Move comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between Tehran and New Delhi following the Israel-Iran ceasefire agreement.

Iran's Pezeshkian has personally invited PM Modi to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's state funeral, scheduled across Tehran, Qom and Mashhad from July 5 to 9. While Pakistan has confirmed its delegation will attend, India is yet to respond. 

Iran invites PM Modi to Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral

Iran President invites PM Modi to attend funeral for Ali Khamenei Sources