GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to attend the state funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to reports.
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The funeral ceremonies are reportedly scheduled to take place from July 4 to July 9 across multiple Iranian cities, beginning in Tehran and concluding with Khamenei's burial in his hometown of Mashhad, one of Shia Islam's holiest cities.
According to reports, Khamenei's body will lie in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla complex on July 4 and 5, allowing members of the public to pay their respects. A state funeral procession is expected to be held on July 6, with authorities in Tehran province declaring public holidays during the mourning period.
The Indian government has not yet officially confirmed whether Prime Minister Modi will attend the funeral.
Reports said invitations have been sent to several world leaders on behalf of President Pezeshkian, including leaders from China, Russia, Qatar, France and Pakistan. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already announced that a Pakistani delegation will participate in the ceremonies.
Neighbouring Iraq is also expected to hold special observances on July 8, including prayers in the Shia holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, reflecting Khamenei's influence across the region.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28. The upcoming ceremonies are expected to draw massive crowds and serve as Iran's formal farewell to a leader who played a central role in shaping the country's political and religious establishment for nearly four decades.
The multi-city funeral is expected to be among the largest public gatherings witnessed in Iran in recent years.