Iran Invites PM Modi for Supreme Leader Khamenei's Burial Amid Scheduling Clash

Iran has formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the burial ceremonies of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint Israel-U.S. attack on February 28, 2026, diplomatic sources told The Hindu.

The invitation was conveyed to the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday (June 23, 2026), though officials have not confirmed whether Mr. Modi will travel for the funeral, scheduled across multiple cities from July 3 to July 9.

Iran announced that burial ceremonies will be held in Tehran and Qom on July 5, 6, and 7, with the final ceremony in Mashhad on July 9. Mr. Modi is expected to visit Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand between July 6 and July 11, creating a potential scheduling conflict.

Separately, Iran's Minister of Petroleum Mohsen Paknejad arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for BRICS energy cooperation meetings. The Iranian Embassy said Mr. Paknejad will hold talks with Indian officials on expanding bilateral oil and gas cooperation, exploring investments, and discussing global energy market developments.

Former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar represented India at the funeral of Iran's then-President Ibrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May 2024. Mr. Modi had visited the UAE on May 15 and Israel on February 25-26 earlier this year.

The ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran has disrupted India's energy and fertiliser imports, as Iran retaliated by choking the Strait of Hormuz. India has maintained communication with all sides to ensure civilian safety in the Gulf and secure supplies.