Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has formally invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the state funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The funeral ceremonies are scheduled to begin on July 4, with Khamenei to be laid to rest on July 9 at the Imam Reza shrine complex in Mashhad.
According to Iranian officials, millions of people from across the country are expected to participate in the funeral events. Authorities estimate that around 20 million people could attend ceremonies in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad.
Khamenei's funeral had initially been scheduled for March 4 following his death on February 28 during joint U.S. and Israeli military strikes. However, Iranian authorities postponed the ceremony because of ongoing military tensions and security concerns.
Officials said the country was facing war-like conditions at the time, making it impossible to organize a large-scale public gathering. Following an improvement in the security situation, new dates for the funeral have now been announced.
The funeral procession will begin on July 4 at Tehran's Grand Mosalla complex, where Khamenei's body will be placed for public viewing. Iranian authorities expect large crowds to gather before the body is transported to the religious city of Qom for special religious ceremonies.
The final stage of the funeral will take place in Mashhad, where Khamenei will be buried with full state honours at the Imam Reza shrine complex on July 9. Iran's senior political, religious and military leaders are expected to attend the ceremony.
Following Iran's invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attention has turned to whether India will be represented at the funeral. The Government of India has not yet announced whether the Prime Minister will attend in person or whether another official delegation will represent the country.
Foreign policy experts have said India's decision will carry diplomatic significance given its strategic relations with Iran, the United States and Israel.
Following the death of then-Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May 2024, India sent a high-level delegation to Tehran. India also observed one day of national mourning, and then Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar represented the country at Raisi's funeral.
Iranian authorities have described the decision to bury Khamenei in Mashhad as religiously and culturally significant. Mashhad is Iran's second-largest city and one of the holiest sites for Shia Muslims.
The Imam Reza shrine is regarded as one of the world's largest Islamic religious sites. Imam Reza is recognised in Shia Muslim tradition as the eighth Imam, and millions of pilgrims visit the shrine annually.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been assigned responsibility for organizing and securing the funeral ceremonies. Officials said extensive security arrangements are being implemented for the event.
Mohammad Ali Tavakkolizadeh, Deputy Head of Social and Cultural Affairs at Tehran Municipality, said public tribute ceremonies in honour of Khamenei will be held over several days. Mourning gatherings, religious events and special prayers will also take place across the country.
Security agencies have said that traffic management, crowd control and overall security are expected to present major operational challenges because of the anticipated attendance. Authorities have therefore prepared special management plans.
Under Islamic tradition, burial generally takes place within one or two days of death. Iranian officials said the delay of several months in Khamenei's funeral resulted from the war, security conditions and preparations for large-scale public participation. According to the officials, the government wanted citizens from across Iran and representatives from around the world to be able to attend the final tribute.
The funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in 1989 is regarded as one of the world's largest funeral gatherings, with an estimated 10 million people attending. Media reports at the time said at least eight people died and thousands were injured after crowd congestion developed during the event.
Iranian authorities now estimate that Khamenei's funeral could attract around 20 million participants and said comprehensive security and crowd management measures are being implemented accordingly.
According to the source content, Khamenei's death during U.S. and Israeli strikes has altered the political landscape of West Asia by affecting regional power dynamics, security strategies and diplomatic equations. The source further states that analysts believe the funeral will serve not only as a religious and national ceremony but also as an occasion reflecting Iran's political direction, influence in the Shia world and regional presence.
