Iran publicly thanked India for sending an official delegation to the state funeral of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a gesture that came amid reports in Iranian media claiming several countries either withdrew or reduced their participation after alleged diplomatic pressure from the United States. According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency, at least 13 countries, including two Gulf nations, scaled back their representation or stayed away from the funeral following pressure from Washington.
Taken together, Iran's appreciation for India's participation and the reported diplomatic efforts by the US highlight the geopolitical significance surrounding one of the most closely watched state funerals in recent Iranian history. Tasnim claimed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally contacted at least five Arab governments, urging them not to attend the funeral in Tehran.
On July 6, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India expressed its gratitude through a post on X, thanking the Indian government and people for participating in the funeral ceremonies. The embassy described India's presence as a reaffirmation of the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
"The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Republic of India extends its heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to the friendly Government and people of India, especially the official delegation that attended on behalf of the Government and people of India, for participating in the funeral ceremonies and paying tribute to the martyred Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei," the embassy stated.
India's official delegation included Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd). They were accompanied by several Indian political and religious figures, including former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, and representatives from various religious communities.
"The people of Iran will never forget this gesture of friendship, compassion, and heartfelt respect," the embassy said. It described India's participation as "a precious testament to the enduring ties" between the two countries and expressed hope that the visit would further strengthen bilateral relations.
The statement also thanked Indian leaders, public figures and citizens who had conveyed condolences following Khamenei's death.
IRANIAN REPORT ALLEGES US PRESSURED COUNTRIES TO STAY AWAY
Iran's expression of gratitude came shortly after Tasnim News Agency reported on July 3 that participation in the funeral had become the focus of an intense diplomatic campaign, alleging that the United States had attempted to discourage governments from sending official delegations to Tehran.
Citing what it described as a senior Iranian source, Tasnim claimed Washington launched a coordinated effort nearly a week before the funeral to persuade countries to avoid attending the ceremonies. According to the report, the campaign involved Secretary of State Marco Rubio along with US ambassadors posted in several countries.
The IRGC-affiliated news agency alleged that American diplomatic missions informed multiple governments that attending Khamenei's funeral would be viewed as an "unfriendly act" towards the United States and could affect bilateral relations.
Tasnim further reported that some countries which eventually decided not to participate later conveyed messages of regret to Iran through intermediaries or via diplomatic channels in Geneva and New York.
The report also alleged that certain governments were warned of possible consequences, including reductions in development assistance or strain in bilateral ties, if they chose to attend the funeral.
According to Tasnim, Rubio personally contacted at least five Arab governments, urging them not to send official delegations to Tehran. The report also claimed that several African countries were warned that their participation could impact US development aid.
Tasnim stated that at least 13 countries either withdrew from the ceremonies or downgraded their level of representation. These reportedly included three Eastern European countries, five African nations, two Gulf Arab states and two major East Asian countries. However, the report did not identify the countries involved.
At the time of publication, neither the US State Department nor Secretary Rubio had publicly responded to the allegations.
Providing additional context, Mehran Haghirian, director of research and programmes at the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation and a scholar of Persian Gulf affairs, noted on X that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman sent official delegations to the funeral, while the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain did not.
INDIA MAINTAINS ITS PARTICIPATION
India nevertheless proceeded with its official participation, while several prominent Indian political and religious leaders also travelled to Iran to pay their respects.
For New Delhi, the decision reflected its long-standing foreign policy of maintaining balanced engagement with multiple partners across West Asia despite regional rivalries. India shares deep historical and civilisational ties with Iran and continues to have strategic interests involving energy security and connectivity, while also maintaining close relationships with the United States, Israel and several Arab nations.
Iran's decision to publicly acknowledge India's participation is significant, as such diplomatic expressions of gratitude following state funerals are generally reserved for countries whose presence carries symbolic importance. By highlighting India's representation and referring to the "enduring ties" between the two nations, Tehran underscored the value it attached to New Delhi's presence during a period of national mourning.
The funeral attracted delegations from dozens of countries and religious communities, reflecting both Khamenei's political influence and Iran's diplomatic relationships across the region and beyond.
Following the funeral procession in Tehran, Khamenei's remains are scheduled to be taken to the seminary city of Qom for further ceremonies before being flown to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. They will later return to Iran for another procession in Mashhad.
Against the backdrop of reports that more than a dozen countries reduced or cancelled their participation due to alleged US pressure, India's attendance and Iran's public appreciation of it emerged as one of the most notable diplomatic moments surrounding the funeral.
