Armenian PM travels to Iran for late Khamenei farewell ceremony

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has left for Iran on a working visit to attend the official farewell ceremony for Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran.

Ahead of his departure on July 2, Pashinyan told reporters that meetings with Iran's leadership were also planned during the visit, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media. 

"Naturally, contacts with the leadership of Iran are planned," he said.

The farewell ceremony for Khamenei began in Tehran on July 3, with Iranian authorities releasing the first images of the late leader's coffin. Official delegations from nearly 100 countries are expected to attend the mourning events, according to Iranian officials. 

The state funeral ceremonies will continue until July 9 and will be held across several Iranian cities as well as in Iraq. The funeral procession is scheduled to take place in Tehran from July 4 to 6, followed by ceremonies in the holy city of Qom on July 7. On July 8, Khamenei's body is expected to be taken to Iraq to allow Shia Muslims to pay their respects before his burial in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9.

By Sabina Mammadli