Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Tehran on Friday to attend the funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei [1].
The presence of the Pakistani delegation signals significant diplomatic support for Iran during a period of regional instability following the assassination of the Supreme Leader [3].
Funeral ceremonies began July 3, 2026, and are scheduled to last seven days [1]. The events are centered at the Grand Mosalla complex in Tehran, though mourning activities are taking place across five cities in two countries [2]. Officials expect millions of mourners to attend the processions [1].
The ceremonies follow a four-month interval since the leader died [2]. Ayatollah Khamenei was assassinated in February 2026 [3]. This delay in the formal funeral proceedings has coincided with a period of heightened tension within the region.
During the events, Iran Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the public should "rise up" and "demand revenge" [4]. These remarks highlight the internal pressure on the Iranian government to respond to the assassination that occurred earlier this year.
Prime Minister Sharif's arrival in the capital is part of a broader international delegation of leaders attending the week-long mourning period [1]. The diplomatic gathering serves as a demonstration of regional solidarity as Iran navigates the aftermath of the loss of its highest authority.
“"Rise up" and "demand revenge"”
The attendance of Pakistan's Prime Minister at the funeral of a leader assassinated four months prior underscores the strategic necessity of maintaining stability between Tehran and Islamabad. The call for revenge by Iranian parliamentary leadership suggests that the mourning period is not merely a religious rite, but a political mobilization intended to justify future state actions in response to the February assassination.
