Qatar and Saudi Arabia Attend Khamenei's Funeral in Iran Amid Regional Tensions
A number of international invitees arrived in Tehran, Iran, to attend the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to reports, Qatar and Saudi Arabia sent delegations to pay their final respects to Khamenei.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar dispatched official delegations despite strained relations with Iran, which has occurred as Iran repeatedly launched retaliatory attacks against US facilities in both nations. Tehran has also conducted strikes hitting vital energy facilities in Gulf countries, triggering concerns among Arab nations regarding Iranian hegemony in the region and potential disruptions to global energy distribution routes.
The Chairman of the Qatar Shura Council represented Doha in Tehran to honour the remains of Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia sent a delegation of six officials led by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed El Khereiji.
In addition to the delegations from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, several prominent figures from various countries attended the funeral. These included the President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili; the President of Iraq, Nizar Amidi; and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif.
Also present were the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev; the Deputy Chairman of the National People’s Congress of China, He Wei; and several ministers representing Malaysia, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Kazakhstan. Representatives from the Taliban, Houthis, and Hamas were also in attendance.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Indonesian government was also invited to the funeral procession of Khamenei. The government expressed its appreciation for the invitation.
“The Government of the Republic of Indonesia expresses its deepest appreciation for the invitation from the Government of Iran to attend the series of ceremonies honouring the late Ayatollah Khamenei,” said Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang to reporters.
The government dispatched the Indonesian Ambassador to Tehran, Rolliansyah Soemirat, as the representative to attend the event. Iran reportedly expressed appreciation to the Indonesian government for appointing the Ambassador in Tehran to represent the nation.
As is known, the funeral procession for the figure who served as the symbol of the Islamic Republic for 37 years began on Saturday morning local time. Khamenei’s remains were laid in state day and night until the following Monday within the Grand Mosalla complex.
The general public was given the opportunity to pay their final respects during the ‘farewell ceremonies’ scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Tehran. Anti-riot police were stationed around the location.