Shehbaz Sharif Travels to Tehran to Attend Ayatollah Khamenei's Funeral

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced on Thursday, July 2, 2026, that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Iran at the head of a high-level diplomatic delegation to attend the funeral and burial ceremonies of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei [1]. The ceremonies, scheduled to begin Saturday in Tehran, are being held after a four-month delay due to wartime and security conditions. Ayatollah Khamenei was martyred on February 28, 2026, during United States and Israeli airstrikes [3].

Details of the Prime Minister's Official Visit Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed in his weekly press briefing that Shehbaz Sharif will begin a regional tour from July 3 to 5, with Tehran as the first stop [4]. During this trip, Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, along with several cabinet members and senior military officials, will accompany Sharif. The Pakistani Prime Minister intends to meet with Iranian officials to express the condolences of the government and people of Pakistan and emphasize Islamabad's solidarity with Tehran at this sensitive juncture [1]. Following the programs in Iran, Sharif will depart for Istanbul at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan [3].

Schedule and Funeral Route in Iran and Iraq According to the schedule announced by the organizing committee in Iran, the body of the late leader of the Islamic Republic will be honored during a six-day ceremony across various cities. The proceedings begin on Saturday, July 4, at the Imam Khomeini Musalla in Tehran and will continue on Monday with a massive procession along a 6-mile route to Azadi Square [2]. Subsequently, the body will be transferred to the city of Qom (July 7) and then to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq (July 8) [4]. Finally, the burial ceremony will take place on July 9 at the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in Mashhad, the birthplace of Ayatollah Khamenei [5].

Extensive International Presence and Security Measures Reports indicate that representatives and leaders from more than 30 countries will attend the ceremony. Dmitry Medvedev, representing Russia, and He Wei, as China's special envoy, are among the prominent guests [2]. Delegations from India, Tajikistan, and neighboring countries have also announced their readiness to attend. Iranian authorities expect millions to participate, with some state media predicting a turnout of up to 20 million people in Tehran [3][5].

Pakistan's Diplomatic Role in the Regional Crisis Shehbaz Sharif's visit goes beyond a ceremonial presence at the funeral. In recent months, Pakistan, alongside Qatar, has played an active mediating role between Iran and the United States to end regional conflicts [3]. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted that indirect negotiations in Doha have made progress, and a new round of talks to stabilize the ceasefire is expected to begin after the burial ceremonies [3]. Sharif's presence in Tehran at this time demonstrates Islamabad's efforts to maintain stability on its western borders and strengthen strategic ties with Iran's new leadership, particularly Mojtaba Khamenei [2].