Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Friday to attend the funeral ceremonies of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. PM Shehbaz arrives in Tehran marks a significant diplomatic engagement as Pakistan expresses condolences and solidarity with the Iranian leadership and people following the assassination of Khamenei earlier this year.
The Pakistani delegation was received by senior Iranian officials at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport. Prime Minister Shehbaz was welcomed by Iran’s interior minister, Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, and senior diplomats, while Field Marshal Asim Munir was received separately by Iranian officials and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who was already in Tehran for the ceremonies.
According to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz arrives in Tehran on a one-day official visit to participate in the funeral rites. During the visit, he is expected to convey condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan while reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to maintaining close ties with Iran during this difficult period.
Iran has begun several days of mourning as thousands of citizens, religious scholars, officials, and foreign dignitaries gather to pay tribute to Ayatollah Khamenei. His coffin was brought to Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, where mourners offered prayers and respects before the official funeral ceremonies scheduled for Saturday.
تہران: 3 جولائی 2026.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا دورہءِ ایران، وزیرِ اعظم کی ایران کے مرحوم سپریم لیڈر آیت اللہ سید علی خامنہ ای شہید کی آخری رسومات میں شرکت.
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف اعلی سطح وفد کے ہمراہ اپنے ایک روزہ دورہءِ ایران کیلئے تہران پہنچ گئے ہیں.
مہرآباد… pic.twitter.com/Jc400vw5Fh
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) July 3, 2026
The funeral is expected to draw representatives from nearly 30 countries. Following the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei’s body is scheduled to travel through several religious cities before its final burial at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad. Iranian authorities have described the nationwide commemorations as a symbol of national unity and resilience.
The Pakistani delegation includes National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PPP Secretary General Nayyer Bukhari, and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani also reached Tehran with a separate delegation to participate in the funeral events.
After completing his engagements in Iran, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to continue his regional visit with a trip to Turkiye. PM Shehbaz arrives in Tehran reflects Pakistan’s continued diplomatic outreach and its commitment to maintaining strong relations with neighboring countries during times of regional significance.
