Iran has invited Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to attend Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies
July 2, 2026: Iran has invited senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to attend the state funeral and memorial events for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Naqvi confirmed receiving the invitation but did not clarify whether he would travel to Iran, either in a personal capacity or as a representative of the BJP.
According to the formal invitation issued by Mohsen Qummi, Director of the International Relations Department in the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran, a series of farewell ceremonies will be held in Tehran, including a memorial at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla Complex, a commemorative session at the Summit Conference Hall on July 4, and a funeral procession on July 6. The invitation described Khamenei’s death as a martyrdom and highlighted the longstanding ties between India and Iran.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 during the first day of large-scale US and Israeli air strikes on Tehran. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Ata Hasnain will represent India at the ceremonies. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the events.