Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan is set to attend the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei before embarking on an official visit to Türkiye. The trip, scheduled from July 3 to July 5, marks Sharif’s initial stop in Iran, as announced by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry. This visit occurs amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran following recent negotiations aimed at reducing regional tensions.
The funeral is anticipated to draw representatives from approximately 100 countries, as stated by Iranian officials. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has noted that attendees will include heads of state, parliamentary leaders, foreign ministers, and special envoys. Notable figures expected to attend are Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon and Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili. Russia will be represented by Dmitry Medvedev, former president and current deputy chairman of the Security Council. Meanwhile, China’s delegation will be led by He Wei, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, and India’s representation will include Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita.
The public funeral is set to commence in Tehran, where Khamenei’s body will be placed in state at a significant religious and ceremonial complex. Following this, a procession will traverse the country, concluding with his burial in Mashhad, his hometown in northeastern Iran, on July 9. Iranian state media have reported that the events are expected to attract high-profile political and diplomatic figures from both the region and beyond.
Ali Khamenei, who became Iran’s second supreme leader in 1989, played a pivotal role in expanding the nation’s nuclear program and fortifying regional alliances through a network of allied groups. His leadership came to a tragic end on February 28 during the initial phase of a U.S.-Israeli military operation targeting Iran’s leadership, missile capabilities, and nuclear infrastructure. Following his death, his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, assumed the role of supreme leader.
The funeral proceedings coincide with ongoing diplomatic discussions between Washington and Tehran, initiated after a ceasefire was established following weeks of conflict. These talks are based on a memorandum of understanding reached in the previous month. While the United States and Iran engage in these negotiations, Israel has opted not to participate, expressing concerns that the current framework insufficiently addresses Iran’s nuclear ambitions, thus maintaining the issue at the forefront of regional and international discourse.