Overview
- Iran has scheduled multi-day funeral rites for the late Supreme Leader on July 4 and 5 with a public farewell in Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Grounds opening at 6:00 am and running until 8:00 pm, Iranian state media reported.
- India will be officially represented by Bihar Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, according to Indian and Iranian reports.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited by Iran’s president but is expected to skip the ceremonies due to a preplanned overseas tour that begins on July 6.
- Iranian authorities expect very large crowds and plan coordinated multi-city observances in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad with security and crowd management overseen by state bodies.
- New Delhi’s decision reflects strategic priorities including maintaining access to Afghanistan and Central Asia via Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor and may shape short-term diplomatic signaling in the region.