Khamenei Funeral Draws Global Leaders to Tehran
Last update: July 3, 2026
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Over 100 countries are sending reps to say goodbye to Iran’s former Supreme Leader — and yes, the guest list is as political as you’d expect.
Right, so here’s what’s happening, according to cbinews.tv. Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is finally being laid to rest, and it’s turning into a massive diplomatic affair.
Representatives from more than 100 countries are expected to turn up, per Iranian state-linked broadcaster IRIB. Khamenei, 86, was killed back on February 28 in a joint US-Israeli air strike on his compound — that was day one of the US-Israel war on Iran.
So, what’s the plan for the commemoration?
Originally, Khamenei was meant to be buried in March. But with the war dragging on, they had to push it back. Now the ceremonies kick off this Friday in Tehran and will run for a full seven days. We’re talking religious rites across Iran and Iraq.
Friday’s the big one for foreign leaders. After that, the weekend — Saturday and Sunday — will be public ceremonies in Tehran. Khamenei’s coffin, along with several family members, will be at the Grand Mosalla, one of Iran’s biggest prayer complexes, for public viewing.
Then the procession moves south on Monday and Tuesday towards Qom. By Wednesday, things shift to Iraq with an official reception at Najaf International Airport, plus public processions in Najaf and Karbala. That’s all confirmed by Iranian and Iraqi leaders.
The final stop? Back to Iran for burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad next Friday. Fitting, since Mashhad is where Khamenei was born.
Which heads of state or government are actually going?
Here’s the rundown from cbinews.tv:
- Pakistan: PM Shehbaz Sharif is attending. Pakistan’s been right in the middle of things — they helped mediate between the US and Iran, nailed down the April ceasefire, and got that memorandum of understanding in June that’s now the basis for peace talks.
- Tajikistan: President Emomali Rahmon will be there.
- Armenia: PM Nikol Pashinyan is representing Armenia.
- Georgia: President Mikheil Kavelashvili has confirmed he’ll attend.
And who else is sending senior officials?
Plenty of big names, just not the top job:
- Türkiye: Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz is going, Ankara confirmed.
- India: They’re sending Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain — he’s a former lieutenant general and the seniormost Shia in public office in India — plus Deputy Foreign Minister Pabitra Margherita. Opposition leaders Salman Khurshid and Mehbooba Mufti are tagging along too.
- China: Senior lawmaker He Wei, vice chair of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, will attend.
- Russia: Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council and ex-president/PM, is heading to Friday’s ceremony.
- Afghanistan: Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi flew to Tehran Thursday. Afghan media says First Deputy PM Abdul Ghani Baradar will also be there.
- Bangladesh: Parliament Speaker Hafizuddin Ahmed is scheduled to attend, per Bangladeshi media.
It’s a huge turnout, and with ceremonies spanning two countries, it’s as much about geopolitics as it is about mourning.
#Iran #Khamenei #Tehran #WorldPolitics #MiddleEast #BreakingNews #cbinews

