Tehran

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the state funeral and burial ceremonies of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to sources.

The invitation comes after the death of the 86-year-old leader, who had headed the Islamic Republic for 36 years. Reports indicate that he was killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on February 28 during the initial phase of military strikes targeting Tehran, marking a major turning point in Iran’s political history.

State media in Iran have confirmed that the elaborate multi-day funeral ceremonies will commence on July 4. The schedule includes commemorative events in Qom, a revered religious city south of Tehran, on July 7, with the final burial set to take place in Mashhad, Khamenei’s birthplace, on July 9.

Although Islamic tradition generally prescribes burial within 24 hours of death, exceptions are allowed in extraordinary circumstances such as conflict or wartime conditions, which have influenced the delayed arrangements.

Initial speculation around the timing of the ceremonies had suggested a June schedule, but the official programme was later confirmed by Iranian authorities.

The state funeral is expected to witness massive public participation, with estimates suggesting attendance could reach nearly 20 million people across Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad. Several international leaders are also expected to attend, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

If the turnout meets projections, it would surpass the previous record of 10 million mourners recorded during the 1989 funeral of Iran’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Following Khamenei’s death, his son Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, aged 56, reportedly assumed leadership on March 8. However, speculation continues regarding his health and whereabouts, with some US officials, including Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, claiming he is currently in a coma.

The invitation to PM Modi comes at a time when geopolitical tensions appear to be easing. After prolonged conflict that disrupted global energy routes and triggered a fuel crisis, Iran and the United States have reportedly agreed to a preliminary peace framework.

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Both Iranian President Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump have signed digital memorandums of understanding, while structured long-term peace negotiations are said to be underway in Switzerland.