Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan is set to visit Iran to attend the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei before proceeding to Türkiye for an official visit. The trip, scheduled from July 3 to July 5, marks Sharif’s participation in the state funeral, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran to alleviate regional tensions after recent negotiations. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced Sharif’s journey as part of a broader diplomatic engagement in the region.
Iranian authorities have confirmed that representatives from approximately 100 countries will be present at the funeral ceremonies. The event is expected to see participation from diverse global leaders, including heads of state, parliamentary figures, foreign ministers, and special envoys. Notably, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon and Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili are anticipated attendees. Russia will be represented by Dmitry Medvedev, the former president who now serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council. China is dispatching He Wei, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, while India’s delegation includes Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita.
The public funeral will commence in Tehran, where Khamenei’s body will be placed at a prominent religious and ceremonial site before a procession continues throughout the country. According to Iranian state media, the final ceremonies will conclude on July 9 in Mashhad, Khamenei’s birthplace in northeastern Iran, where he will be laid to rest. The events are expected to attract significant political and diplomatic figures from the region and beyond.
Ali Khamenei served as Iran’s second supreme leader from 1989, during which time he oversaw the expansion of Iran’s nuclear program and bolstered regional alliances via networks of allied groups. His death on February 28 occurred during the initial phase of a U.S.-Israeli military operation targeting Iranian leadership, missile capabilities, and nuclear infrastructure. Following his passing, Mojtaba Khamenei has taken over the role of supreme leader.
The funeral takes place amid ongoing diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran, following a ceasefire that ended weeks of conflict. Talks are currently underway between the United States and Iran, based on a memorandum of understanding agreed upon last month. However, Israel remains absent from these negotiations, expressing concerns that the current framework does not sufficiently address Iran’s nuclear ambitions, keeping the issue at the forefront of regional and international discourse.