Megawati's Condolence Message for Khamenei Aired on Iranian TV
Former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri has conveyed a message of condolence following the death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which was broadcast by Iranian television. Khamenei is to be buried on 9 July after being killed in an attack by the United States and Israel.
Following a large procession in the holy city of Qom, Iran, senior Iraqi officials and politicians received Khamenei’s body at Najaf International Airport on Tuesday evening in the presence of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iraqi authorities declared Wednesday a national holiday, with the funeral ceremony commencing at 6:00 a.m. in Najaf. Security was tightened as crowds swelled, with some mourners pushing to touch the coffin as it was transported by truck to the shrine of Imam Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law and the first Shia Imam. At the shrine, dozens of clerics prepared to pray over the coffin before it was taken to Karbala. The final burial procession is scheduled to take place on Thursday in Khamenei’s hometown of Mashhad, in northeastern Iran.
In her message, Megawati expressed that Khamenei’s passing was a great loss for the Iranian people. “The passing of His Eminence Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not only a great loss for the Iranian nation, but has also shaken the hearts of many who love justice, national sovereignty, and humanity throughout the world,” she stated. The video message was sent to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran via the Iranian Embassy in Jakarta.
Megawati described Khamenei as more than a political and religious leader, calling him a fighter. “For me personally, the figure of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not merely a political leader or a religious figure from a nation known for its patriotism and refusal to surrender. In him, I see echoes of the struggle pioneered by my father, Bung Karno,” she said. She recalled her official visit to Tehran in 2004 during her presidency, noting his strong charisma and deep humility. Megawati also remembered Khamenei’s appreciation for Pancasila and the Bandung Spirit as important references for building a free and dignified Iran. She concluded her message by reaffirming her commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and offering prayers for the late leader and the people of Iran.