Iran formally invites Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s state funeral and related burial ceremonies, according to reports citing diplomatic sources. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian personally delivers the invitation, and Indian media report the invitation is extended as Iran prepares a week-long programme of mourning events scheduled from July 4 to July 9 across Tehran, Qom and Mashhad. Sources describe the ceremonies beginning in Tehran, where Khamenei’s body is expected to lie in state at the Grand Mosalla complex on July 4 and 5. A major funeral procession is planned for July 6 in Tehran, and authorities announce public holidays in Tehran province during the mourning period. Commemorations then continue in Qom and Mashhad, with a tribute ceremony in Qom on July 7 and burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad on July 9. Some reports also mention regional memorial events in Iraq on July 8 in Najaf and Karbala. On the Indian side, New Delhi has not indicated whether Modi will attend. India is reported to plan a delegation to represent the government, and Prime Minister Modi speaks with President Pezeshkian ahead of the funeral.
Iran invites India’s PM Modi to Ayatollah Khamenei’s state funeral
Iran formally invites Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s state funeral and related burial ceremonies, according to reports citing diplomatic sources. Iranian President Mas...
- Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian formally invites Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s state funeral.
- Iran schedules week-long mourning and commemorative events from July 4 to July 9 across Tehran, Qom and Mashhad.
- Khamenei’s body is expected to lie in state in Tehran at the Grand Mosalla complex on July 4 and 5.
- A major state funeral procession is planned for July 6 in Tehran, followed by tribute events in Qom on July 7 and burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad on July 9.
- India has not publicly confirmed Modi’s attendance, but India is reported to send a delegation to the ceremonies.
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.
1 month agoIran 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.
1 month agoTehran 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.
1 month agoPrime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ahead of the state funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
1 month agoIranian 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.
1 month agoThe Iranian president had earlier invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Khamenei's funeral.
1 month ago
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