Tajik president travels to Iran for Khamenei farewell ceremonies

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon departed for Tehran on a working visit on July 3, the presidential press service announced.

The Tajik delegation includes the foreign minister, the presidential assistant for foreign policy, the minister of energy and water resources, the chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs and Regulation of Traditions and Celebrations, and other senior officials.

The presidential press service did not specify the purpose of the visit. However, two days earlier, the Iranian Embassy in Dushanbe announced that Rahmon would attend the official farewell ceremony for former Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Ali Khamenei. Iranian media also reported the planned visit on July 1, saying the Tajik president would be accompanied by an official delegation as well as representatives of Tajikistan's intellectual community, clergy, and civil society.

According to the Iranian authorities, the farewell ceremonies for Ali Khamenei will span several days. The events began in Tehran on July 3, with ceremonies involving foreign delegations scheduled for July 4–5. A funeral procession through the streets of the Iranian capital is set to take place on July 6.

On July 7, a farewell ceremony will be held in the holy city of Qom, after which Khamenei's body will be transferred to Iraq on July 8 to allow Shiite Muslims from Iraq and other countries to pay their respects.

The commemorative observances will conclude on July 9 in Mashhad, where Ali Khamenei will be laid to rest. 

By Vafa Guliyeva