Iran Invites Narendra Modi to Attend Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral Services

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the upcoming funeral and memorial services of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Citing diplomatic sources, NDTV and several prominent media outlets reported on Wednesday (June 24) that the services are scheduled for July 4 and 5 at Tehran's Grand Mosalla. However, it remains unconfirmed who will officially represent the nation at this high-profile state mourning event.

The administration views Iran as an integral part of its extended neighborhood, maintaining resilient bilateral and historical ties. Throughout the recent 40-day conflict in West Asia, Prime Minister Modi and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar held multiple rounds of dialogue with Iranian leadership. Notably, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited New Delhi last May for the BRICS ministerial meet, where he held extensive talks with top leadership. According to Iranian state media, the multi-phase state funeral will conclude with a burial in the holy city of Mashhad on July 9, following ceremonies in Tehran and Qom. The late Supreme Leader, who led Iran for nearly 36 years, was killed during air strikes on February 28, though his funeral was deferred repeatedly due to volatile security conditions.