The week-long ceremonies for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei begin in Tehran, where Khamenei’s body will lie in state before a procession through Tehran, Qom and Iraq’s Karbala, ahead of his burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. His body will be taken through several Iranian cities before travelling to neighbouring Iraq as part of days-long mourning ceremonies. Iranian authorities have called on citizens, government officials and members of paramilitary groups to participate in large public gatherings to pay their final respects.
Iran calls for mass participation: Calling his death “the beginning of a new chapter of national unity”, President Masoud Pezeshkian urged massive public participation, describing the funeral as a demonstration of Iran’s resilience and solidarity. Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, and the funeral was delayed for months after as the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States was still underway.
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Who is representing India at the funeral: India has sent an official delegation to represent the nation at the funeral ceremony. The delegation is led by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, accompanied by MEA officials. Congress leader Salman Khurshid is representing the party, while BJP president Nitin Nabin, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, and Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi Al Safavi also received invitations.
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