Iran – Tehran Hosts International Tribute for Late Supreme Leader Khamenei
Iran – Senior Iranian officials and foreign representatives gathered in Tehran on Friday to pay tribute to former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, as the country began several days of official mourning and funeral events.
Senior Iranian leaders attend Tehran ceremony
The main condolence gathering was held at Imam Khomeini’s Mosalla prayer hall in central Tehran. The event began on Friday morning and continued through the day, drawing political leaders, religious figures, academics and tribal representatives from across Iran.
President Masoud Pezeshkian attended the ceremony alongside Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei. Sadeq Amoli Larijani, chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council, was also present, along with other senior government and state officials.
The ceremony marked the opening of a wider programme of memorial events planned in Iran and neighbouring Iraq. Authorities have announced that the observances will continue until July 9.
Foreign leaders offer condolences
A number of international delegates travelled to Tehran for the tribute ceremony. The visitors included heads of government, parliamentary leaders and ministers from several countries.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were among the foreign guests. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Iraqi President Nizar Amedi and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon also attended.
Nechirvan Barzani, president of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, was present at the gathering. Delegations from China and Russia were also represented by senior officials, according to reports.
The presence of foreign leaders and representatives reflected the regional significance of the ceremonies and the diplomatic engagement surrounding the transition in Iran’s top leadership.
India sends high-level representatives
India was represented at the Tehran ceremony by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, retired.
In a post on X, Margherita said the Indian delegation had conveyed condolences on behalf of the Government of India and the people of India. He said the two representatives attended the funeral ceremony for the former Iranian leader in Tehran.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the delegation’s participation highlighted the longstanding civilisational relationship between India and Iran. The ministry noted that people-to-people links have continued to support political and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Funeral events planned in several cities
Iranian authorities have scheduled farewell rites at Imam Khomeini’s Mosalla prayer hall on July 4 and July 5. A major funeral procession in Tehran is expected to follow on July 6.
Further ceremonies are planned in Qom on July 7, while additional processions and religious observances are due to take place in Mashhad and Iraq before the mourning period concludes on July 9.
Officials have announced public closures and airspace restrictions in Tehran and Mashhad for key dates connected to the ceremonies. Thursday has also been declared a national day of mourning.
Khamenei was killed in a US and Israeli strike in Tehran on February 28, according to the information provided by Iranian authorities. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was selected as Iran’s new supreme leader in March.