Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP president and former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, traveled to Tehran on Thursday, July 2, 2026 [1].
Mufti's presence at the state funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei signifies a high-level diplomatic gesture, as she attended as a distinguished guest of India. The visit occurs amidst a period of significant transition for Iran following the death of its Supreme Leader earlier this year.
Mufti is traveling alongside Congress leader Salman Khurshid to attend the ceremonies [1]. The event is described as a six-day, multi-city state funeral, which Iran is preparing as the largest in its history [5].
There are varying reports regarding the exact start of the ceremonies. Some sources indicate the funeral events run from July 3 to July 6, 2026 [2], while other reports state the proceedings will begin on July 4, 2026 [3]. The final burial for the late leader is scheduled for July 9, 2026 [4].
The ceremonies are taking place in Tehran and other cities across the country [2]. The state funeral follows the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whom some reports describe as having been slain [5].
Mufti received an official invitation to attend the events in her capacity as a distinguished guest [1]. The multi-day schedule reflects the scale of the late leader's influence, and the Iranian government's intent to mark the occasion with unprecedented scope [5].
“Mehbooba Mufti traveled to Tehran on Thursday, July 2, 2026.”
The attendance of a former Indian state leader and a current member of the PDP at a state funeral in Tehran highlights the complex diplomatic intersections between India, regional political figures, and the Iranian leadership. By designating Mufti as a distinguished guest, the proceedings underscore a desire for continued engagement with diverse political representatives from the Indian subcontinent during a period of domestic instability in Iran.
