Iran Invites PM Modi For Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s State Funeral Next Month

Last Updated:June 24, 2026, 13:58 IST

The state funeral of Ayatolla Ali Khamenei is scheduled to begin on July 4, with Khamenei’s body lying in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla complex.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the state funeral and burial ceremonies of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28.

The ceremonies, which were initially scheduled for March, were postponed because of the conflict in the region. They are now set to take place over several days in July across multiple Iranian cities.

Ceremonies to begin on July 4

The state funeral is scheduled to begin on July 4, with Khamenei’s body lying in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla complex.

Public processions are planned in Tehran and Qom. Prayers will also be held in the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. The final burial ceremony is scheduled for July 9 at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Khamenei’s hometown.

Authorities expect millions of mourners to take part in the ceremonies, which will mark the formal farewell to a leader who shaped Iran’s political system for nearly four decades. The funeral was originally expected to take place in Tehran and Mashhad between March 4 and March 6, 2026, but was delayed due to the war.

India-Iran ties

Following Khamenei’s death in February, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi and signed the condolence book on behalf of the Government of India.

India has traditionally maintained close ties with Iran and regards the country as part of its extended neighbourhood with longstanding civilisational connections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have held several rounds of discussions with Iranian leaders during the 40-day conflict in West Asia.

FM Araghchi’s India visit

Amid the fragile ceasefire in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently travelled to New Delhi to participate in the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

During the visit, Araghchi held bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and also met Prime Minister Modi. Senior Iranian officials have made several visits to India in recent months, particularly for BRICS-related engagements hosted by New Delhi.

Iran has extended invitations to a number of countries for the funeral ceremonies, with particular emphasis on neighbouring nations. According to Iranian state media, several countries have already confirmed participation or indicated their intention to send representatives.

Delegations are expected from Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Russia, China and several Central Asian countries.

India had also sent a high-level delegation to Iran following the death of then Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May 2024.

At the time, New Delhi declared a day of national mourning and lowered flags to half-mast across the country. Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar led the Indian delegation that attended the ceremonies in Tehran.

Whether Prime Minister Modi or another senior representative will attend Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies has not yet been announced.

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