Iran has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the state funeral and burial ceremonies of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, marking a significant diplomatic outreach as Tehran prepares for one of the largest public mourning events in its history.
According to sources, the invitation was extended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian following Khamenei’s death earlier this year. The 86-year-old leader was killed during a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28, the opening day of a military campaign targeting Iranian positions.
Khamenei led the Islamic Republic for 36 years and was one of the most influential figures in the modern Middle East. His death triggered a period of national mourning and political transition in Iran.
Iranian state media reports that funeral ceremonies will begin on July 4 and continue over several days. Memorial events are scheduled in the religious city of Qom on July 7 before concluding with Khamenei’s burial in Mashhad, his hometown and one of the holiest cities in Iran, on July 9.
While Islamic tradition generally calls for burial within 24 hours of death, extended ceremonies can take place under exceptional circumstances, including periods of war and national crisis.
Iranian authorities expect millions of people to participate in the funeral events across Tehran, Qom and Mashhad. Officials estimate attendance could approach 20 million mourners, potentially making it one of the largest funeral gatherings in modern history.
Several international leaders are also expected to attend, including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and representatives from countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
If attendance projections are realized, the funeral would surpass the estimated 10 million people who attended the 1989 funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic.
Following Khamenei’s death, his son, Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, assumed the position of Supreme Leader on March 8. However, questions continue to surround his health and public appearances, with reports and speculation emerging from international sources regarding his current condition.
The invitation to Prime Minister Modi comes at a time of shifting regional dynamics. After months of conflict that disrupted global energy markets and threatened shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran and the United States have moved toward a diplomatic framework aimed at reducing tensions.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and U.S. President Donald Trump have both endorsed a memorandum of understanding designed to guide future negotiations. Long-term talks between the two countries are currently underway in Switzerland as both sides seek a broader peace agreement.
For India, attendance at the funeral would carry diplomatic significance, reflecting New Delhi’s longstanding ties with Tehran while balancing its strategic relationships with other regional and global partners.
The Iranian invitation places India among a select group of nations being asked to participate in a historic state event that will mark the end of one era in Iranian politics and the beginning of another.
