Tehran, Iran – Web Desk: The Iranian government has announced a nationwide public holiday on July 6 to facilitate the funeral and burial ceremonies of the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while July 8 has been declared a national day of mourning.
According to the Iranian government spokesperson, special funeral events and memorial gatherings will be held across multiple cities, with millions of mourners expected to participate. Authorities have appealed to the public to attend the ceremonies in large numbers.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during the initial US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, according to Iranian officials. His funeral had been postponed several times due to the prevailing security situation before the government officially released the final schedule.
Sources said Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to visit Iran during the first week of July and is likely to attend the funeral prayers and final rites. Following his visit to Iran, the prime minister is also expected to travel to Türkiye.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is also expected to attend the funeral ceremonies.
In a related development, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has formally invited Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to participate in the funeral of the late Iranian Supreme Leader.
Political analysts believe the funeral is expected to draw senior officials and delegations from several countries, highlighting the event’s growing international significance.
Experts say the participation of global leaders in the funeral ceremonies could carry diplomatic importance, particularly amid ongoing regional tensions and evolving geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
