Iran's Funeral Procession for Former Supreme Leader Seyyed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: A Display of Diplomatic Outreach and Domestic Solidarity

After the recent conflict with the United States and Israel, Iran now seems to be trying to convey its diplomatic outreach and message of domestic solidarity to the world. Tehran is presenting the presence of representatives of about 100 countries, including India, and a crowd of millions of people in the funeral procession of former Supreme Leader Seyyed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a demonstration of its strength and global support. Ali Khamenei's body was brought to the general public for the first time on July 3 after his death nearly four months ago. With this, his seven-day final journey began. The journey will cover about 3,000 kilometers through five cities in Iran and Iraq and will end in the Iranian city of Mashhad, where he will be laid to rest. According to Iran, representatives of 100 countries are attending the funeral procession. From India, Governor of Bihar (retired Lieutenant General) Seyyed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Pabitra Margutta have arrived in addition to the funeral procession. Representatives from Palestine, Kazakhstan, Kurdistan, Iraq, and Pakistan have also arrived.