Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - Iran has thanked India for sending representatives to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s state funeral in Tehran, calling the gesture a sign of enduring ties and solidarity. The message came as reports said U.S. pressure led at least 13 countries to scale back or skip participation in the ceremony.

According to Iran’s statement, India’s attendance was viewed as a “precious testament” to the relationship between the two countries and a gesture Tehran said it would “never forget”. The Indian delegation included Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain, while Indian political figures such as Salman Khurshid and Mehbooba Mufti were also reported to be present. Tehran said the broader turnout from India reflected mutual respect and solidarity during a period of national mourning.

At the same time, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that at least 13 countries, including two Gulf states, either stayed away or downgraded their participation after U.S. pressure. The report said Washington warned governments that attending the funeral could be treated as an unfriendly act and could affect bilateral ties, including development assistance in some regions. If true, that would mean the funeral became not only a mourning event but also a test of diplomatic alignment in a tense West Asia environment.

The contrasting responses highlight how Khamenei’s funeral has become a diplomatic signal as much as a religious and political event. India’s presence was praised by Iran, while the reported boycott by several other countries under U.S. pressure underscores the broader geopolitical stakes surrounding the ceremony.