Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei thanks PM Modi for Eid greetings, calls for stronger bilateral ties

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei has expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his Eid al-Adha greetings, while voicing confidence that the long-standing friendship between India and Iran will continue to grow.

In a message addressed to the Indian Prime Minister, Mojtaba Khamenei thanked PM Modi for his greetings on the Islamic festival and extended his own best wishes to the Government and the people of India.

"I have received Your Excellency's message of congratulations on the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Adha. While expressing my sincere appreciation and extending my reciprocal congratulations, I am confident that the historic friendship between our two countries, founded on mutual respect and shared interests, will continue to be further strengthened and expanded through the efforts of our two governments," the message said, as reported by news agency ANI.

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He also prayed for the prosperity and continued success of the Government of India and its people.

Message comes ahead of Ali Khamenei's funeral

The exchange of greetings comes just days after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited PM Modi to attend the funeral ceremonies of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

India will be represented at the funeral by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (Retired) Syed Ata Hasnain.

The funeral ceremonies are scheduled to begin on July 4 and conclude on July 9 with the burial of Ali Khamenei in his hometown of Mashhad.

Funeral delayed due to war

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 in the opening phase of the American-Israeli military campaign against Iran after a strike targeted a compound in Tehran.

The funeral was initially planned for March but had to be postponed because of the ongoing conflict. The ceremonies were delayed until the security situation improved following the ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran in April.

Following Ali Khamenei's assassination, Iran's Assembly of Experts elected his son, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, as the country's new Supreme Leader. He became Iran's third Supreme Leader and the first to inherit the position from his father.

Leadership transition in Iran

Mojtaba Khamenei assumed office during one of the most challenging periods in Iran's recent history. Reports have suggested that he was injured during the conflict and is currently staying at a secure location with limited communication with senior government officials and military leaders.

Against this backdrop, Mojtaba Khamenei's message to PM Modi is being seen as a reaffirmation of Tehran's commitment to maintaining strong ties with India.