Massive Diplomatic Gathering Marks Funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran

The funeral ceremony for Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the former leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, commenced in Tehran’s Mosalla, attended by numerous political dignitaries, diplomatic envoys, and commanders of military groups allied with Iran. Organizers have stated that this event is one of the largest diplomatic gatherings in Iran in recent years.

Simultaneous Presence of Taliban Representatives and Afghan Opposition Figures in Tehran

According to statistics provided by the organizers, at least eight heads of state, twelve parliamentary leaders, and dozens of official envoys, including foreign ministers and ambassadors, took part in the ceremony. Notably, it witnessed the simultaneous presence of rival and opposition political factions from Afghanistan. Reports indicate that Ahmad Massoud (leader of the National Resistance Front), Mohammad Mohaqiq (a political figure), a delegation of Shia scholars from Kabul, members of the Fatemiyoun military group, and an official delegation representing the Taliban government were present at the event.

Diplomatic Restrictions and Presence of Iranian-Supported Groups

Officials have confirmed that NATO member countries and Western governments, which have supported Israel in recent regional tensions, were not invited to the ceremony. In contrast, commanders and high-ranking representatives of armed and political groups backed by Iran from Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria, along with religious figures from Pakistan and some Arab countries, participated in the Tehran gathering.

Funeral Arrangements in Iran and Iraq

As per the announced schedule, public funeral services will begin tomorrow in Tehran, after which the body will be transferred to Qom. According to reports from Iranian state media, following requests from various religious gatherings in Iraq, the body of Ayatollah Khamenei is also set to be taken to the cities of Najaf and Karbala for funeral services. Ultimately, the burial will take place in the city of Mashhad. Iranian state media anticipates significant turnout due to the arrival of foreign pilgrims, predicting that this ceremony could become the largest funeral in history given the expected influx of attendees.