New Delhi,06 July(UNIPA News)-The Iranian Embassy in India has expressed gratitude to the Indian government and people for participating in the funeral ceremonies of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, describing the gesture as a reflection of the longstanding ties between the two countries.

In a statement posted on X, the embassy thanked the official Indian delegation that travelled to Tehran to pay tribute to Khamenei. It said the people of Iran would remember India’s “gesture of friendship, compassion, and heartfelt respect” and described it as a valuable foundation for strengthening bilateral relations.

India was represented at the funeral by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain. Senior Congress leader and former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid also attended the ceremony.

The embassy added that the participation of Indian political leaders, Members of Parliament, scholars, intellectuals and religious figures from different faiths reflected the deep historical, cultural and people-to-people connections shared by India and Iran.

The statement came after Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that the United States had launched a diplomatic effort ahead of the funeral to discourage countries from sending official delegations. According to the report, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and American ambassadors contacted several governments, urging them not to attend the ceremony.

Tasnim also claimed that countries were warned participation could be viewed as an “unfriendly act” and, in some cases, could affect relations with Washington. The report further alleged that at least 13 countries either withdrew their delegations or reduced the level of representation. The United States has not publicly responded to these claims.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the funeral represented a commitment to continue Khamenei’s legacy rather than a farewell. Speaking to Iranian state television, he said the ceremony symbolized a pledge to carry forward the late leader’s path.

He also accused Israel and its allies of attempting to reshape the region through conflict, while asserting that recent developments had strengthened unity among Muslims.