The United States reportedly launched a diplomatic campaign to discourage at least 13 countries from attending former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral in Tehran, according to Iranian media. The report further claimed that the effort led the nations to either withdraw from the event or send lower-level delegations.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported, citing a senior source, that the US intensified diplomatic efforts ahead of Khamenei’s funeral to reduce foreign participation. The report further claimed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio secretly instructed American embassies and diplomatic missions on June 26, asking diplomats to use “all available means” to persuade host governments not to attend the ceremony in Tehran. It further alleged that participation would be considered an “unfriendly act” that could sour ties with Washington.
Alleged pressure on foreign governments
Citing two unnamed Arab diplomats, the Iranian report mentioned that American ambassadors in many African nations warned that attending Ali Khamenei’s funeral could lead to reductions in US development assistance. It also alleged that Marco Rubio personally raised the matter with his counterparts in at least five Arab countries.
Which countries skipped Khamenei’s s funeral in Iran?
According to the report, at least 13 countries, including 5 from Africa, 3 from Eastern Europe, 2 Persian Gulf Arab states, and 2 major East Asian nations, either withdrew or downgraded their representation following the alleged US pressure.
The report further stated that some nations provided diplomatic reasons for skipping the funeral ceremony, while others tried to send lower-level delegations that were not accepted by Iranian officials.
Where was the funeral ceremony held?
The funeral ceremonies commenced on Saturday, July 4, at the Imam Khomeini Grand Musalla in Iran’s capital, Tehran. It will reportedly end with Khamenei’s burial in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9, 2026. Meanwhile, Public funeral prayers for the former Iranian Supreme Leader and four family members were held on Sunday as part of the multi-day farewell ceremony.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a coordinated US-Israeli strike on February 28, an event that led to a wider conflict in West Asia.
