Iran Invites PM Modi to Funeral Ceremony of Supreme Leader Khamenei

Iran has reportedly invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the funeral ceremonies of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday.

The invitation is believed to have been extended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Indian government regarding the invitation or any potential participation in the ceremonies.

Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for more than three decades, was reportedly killed during a joint military operation involving the United States and Israel earlier this year. His death marked a major turning point in Middle Eastern politics and triggered widespread reactions across the region.

According to reports from Iranian media, the funeral ceremonies are expected to take place between July 5 and July 9. Several memorial events are planned in Tehran as well as in the holy city of Qom, which holds significant religious importance in Iran.

Authorities are preparing for an enormous public turnout. Estimates suggest that nearly 20 million people could participate in the funeral processions and commemorative gatherings across Tehran, Mashhad, and Qom.

A number of foreign dignitaries are also expected to attend. Reports indicate that senior Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, may be present during the ceremonies.

If the projected attendance figures are realized, the event could surpass the record turnout witnessed during the funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in 1989.

The funeral arrangements are expected to be among the largest public gatherings in Iran’s modern history, reflecting Khamenei’s long-standing influence on the country’s political and religious landscape.