HighLights
  1. Iran officials emotional during Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral ceremony.
  2. Massive security measures implemented for multi-day funeral events.
  3. Delegations from 100 countries, including India, attended ceremonies.

Iran on Friday began seven days of funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, drawing top Iranian officials and high-level delegations from around the world.

According to Fars News, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were seen breaking down in tears during the ceremony, reflecting the sombre mood as thousands gathered to pay their respects to the late leader, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28 this year.

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Massive Security Arrangements in Place

Authorities said unprecedented security measures have been implemented for the multi-day funeral ceremonies. "We will have the highest level of security and safety at the farewell and send-off ceremony for the martyred Leader," ANI quoted Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamadian.

He also urged mourners to follow the official schedule, stating, "Exactly at 6 am tomorrow, the doors of Tehran's Prayer Grounds will open; there will be no opening before 6. People should plan to arrive at the Prayer Grounds starting from this hour."

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Meanwhile, Fars News reported that Baghdad will observe a shutdown during the funeral procession following an announcement by Baghdad Governor Atwan Al-Atwani.

India Among Countries Represented

India was represented at the ceremony by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain.

The Embassy of Iran in India shared images from the event on X, writing, "Indian Dignitaries Pay Tribute to the Martyred Leader of Iran, His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei."

Photos also captured other participants like PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and the leader in-charge of the Congress party's foreign affairs department, Salman Khurshid.

Which Foreign Leaders Are Attending?

Foreign dignitaries have continued arriving in Tehran for the funeral ceremonies.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with delegations from China, Oman, Georgia, and Iraq, as well as Lebanon's Amal Movement, Palestinian representatives, and religious leaders from other countries, have also confirmed their participation.

According to the New York Times, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev, Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, head of the Kurdistan region in Iraq, members of the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah, senior Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi from Afghanistan, and Ahmad Massoud, son of Taliban rival Ahmad Shah Massoud, also came to pay their respects to Khamenei.

Iran Says Delegations From Around 100 Countries Expected

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei highlighted the scale of international participation. He said, "We have high-level delegations from neighbouring countries. At least eight heads of government, including presidents or prime ministers, and parliamentary speakers from 12 countries will attend."

He added, "Many other countries will be represented at the level of foreign ministers, other ministers, or special envoys." Baghaei further said public groups and prominent personalities from around 100 countries were expected to participate in the ceremonies. 

ALSO READ: 20 Million Mourners, Delegations From 30 Countries: Inside Iran's Historic Farewell To Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Funeral Ceremonies Continue Through the Week

According to Press TV, Iranian officials estimate that between 15 million and 20 million people could participate in the funeral ceremonies, making it one of the country's largest public gatherings in recent history.

According to Iran's state news agency IRNA, the ceremonies will continue until July 9. Khamenei's body is lying in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla Mosque before a funeral procession through the capital on Monday. The event is not being observed solely as a period of national mourning; Iran is also presenting it as a demonstration of its religious, political, and popular strength.

Further rites are scheduled in Qom and later in Baghdad, Karbala, and Najaf before Khamenei is laid to rest in Mashhad on July 9.

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