Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the state funeral and burial ceremonies of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, according to a News18 report.
The funeral events, originally planned for March, were postponed because of the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States. Iranian authorities have now announced a series of ceremonies across several cities between July 4 and July 9.
India is among several countries expected to participate in the ceremonies honouring one of the most influential figures in Iran’s modern history.
The invitation to PM Modi reflects the close ties between India and Iran, which have maintained regular diplomatic engagement despite regional tensions.
Funeral ceremonies to begin on July 4
According to the report, the state funeral will begin on July 4 at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla complex, where Khamenei’s body will lie in state for public viewing.
Large public processions are planned in Tehran and the holy city of Qom. Special prayers will also be held in the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, both important centres of Shia Islam.
The final burial ceremony is scheduled for July 9 at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Khamenei’s hometown in northeastern Iran.
Authorities expect millions of people to take part in the events. The ceremonies are expected to be one of the largest public gatherings in Iran in recent years and will serve as the country’s formal farewell to a leader who played a central role in shaping its political and religious system for nearly four decades.
Strong India-Iran engagement
Following Khamenei’s death in February, India expressed its condolences through diplomatic channels. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi and signed the condolence book on behalf of the Government of India.
India has long maintained close political, cultural and civilisational ties with Iran. During the recent conflict in West Asia, PM Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar remained in contact with Iranian leaders through multiple rounds of discussions.
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New Delhi has also participated in important Iranian state events in recent years. After the death of then Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in 2024, India sent a high-level delegation led by former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to attend the funeral ceremonies.
Later that year, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of President Pezeshkian in Tehran.
International participation expected
The invitation to India comes shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited New Delhi for the Brics Foreign Ministers’ meeting, where he held talks with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and met PM Modi.
Iran has extended invitations to many countries, particularly its neighbours and regional partners. Delegations are expected from Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Russia, China and several Central Asian nations.
The ceremonies are likely to draw leaders, ministers and senior representatives from across the region, underlining Khamenei’s significance in Iran and the wider West Asia.
