Iran President Pezeshkian invites PM Modi to attend former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's state funeral: Sources

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the state funeral and burial ceremonies for the former Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei. This official invitation signifies a notable diplomatic engagement following the death of the 86-year-old leader, who was reportedly killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on February 28.

Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for 36 years, will be honored with multi-day funeral ceremonies scheduled to commence on July 4. These rituals will include events in the holy city of Qom on July 7, culminating in his final burial on July 9 in his hometown, Mashhad, located in northeastern Iran. While Islamic tradition typically calls for swift burial, exceptions are made, particularly during periods of conflict.

The state funeral is expected to draw an immense crowd, with projections of up to 20 million mourners gathering across Tehran, Mashhad, and Qom. This turnout, if realized, would surpass the record of 10 million attendees set during the 1989 funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. A significant number of foreign dignitaries, including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, are also anticipated to be present.

This invitation arrives at a time of easing geopolitical tensions. Following a period of severe conflict that disrupted global energy supplies, Iran and the United States have reportedly agreed to a peace framework. Digital Memorandums of Understanding have been signed by Presidents Pezeshkian and Donald Trump, respectively, and structured, long-term peace negotiations are reportedly underway in Switzerland. The late leader's son, Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, assumed leadership on March 8, though speculation persists regarding his current health.