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PoliticsAbout 100 People from Karnataka Attend Khamenei's Funeral in Tehran
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Approximately 100 people from Karnataka, India, mostly from Alipura village in Chikkaballapur district, are attending the funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran. Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli air strike on February 28, along with family members. Syed Hakim Raza, president of the Indo-Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industries, confirmed the attendance, noting that some Kannadigas are already based in Iran as students or professionals, while others flew from Bengaluru via Mumbai on a chartered Iran Air flight. Alipura residents expressed deep grief, with one stating Khamenei was 'loved more than our father.' Raza highlighted that Iran secured a ceasefire in April and an MoU in June, demonstrating stability for hosting the funeral with representatives from over 100 countries. He also commented on Iran's policy to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for friendly nations like India, and noted that India's Political Delegation's attendance reaffirmed enduring bilateral ties.
Source report
By: Mini Tejaswi
A view of Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral procession in Tehran. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
About 100 people from Karnataka, mostly residents of Alipura in Chikkaballapur district, are currently attending the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran, said Syed Hakim Raza, president of the Indo-Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
It may be noted that Alipura village has an affinity towards Khamenei, as he had visited the village earlier.
Some of these Kannadigas are already based in Iran as students of religious institutions, medical students, medical professionals, or businesspeople. Others flew in from Bengaluru to Iran’s capital via Mumbai on a chartered Iran Air flight on Sunday, Mr. Hakim Raza told The Hindu.
Iran’s former Supreme Leader Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli air strike operation on February 28. Alongside him, his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and his 14-month-old granddaughter were also martyred.
According to Mr. Hakim Raza, Iran secured a ceasefire in April itself, and an MoU in June is proof that the country is stable enough to host the funeral and the representatives attending it from over 100 countries, including India.
An Alipura resident, Faizan Raza, said: “He (Khamenei) was loved more than our father; this martyrdom has shaken our hearts and our souls. It is a must to attend the farewell. So, I travelled from Alipura.”
Mr. Hakim Raza further said that the 40-day mourning period and week-long public holiday reflected the view that this tragedy was not merely a private family loss, but a collective national wound that united personal grief with national resolve.
Hormuz
On Iran’s policy on the Strait of Hormuz, Mr. Hakim Raza commented that Iran’s policy has long been to keep the Strait of Hormuz open under normal circumstances, recognising its vital importance to friendly nations, including India, whose energy security depends heavily on these waters.
“From this perspective, past references to closing the strait have been framed not as threats to friendly nations or international commerce, but as a strategic deterrent against external aggression,” he added.
The attendance of India’s Political Delegation at the funeral was presented as a reaffirmation that the bonds between Iran and India endure, even amid heightened tensions in the region, Mr. Hakim Raza further said.
Published — July 06, 2026 11:34 pm IST
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Part of this Story
Iran Holds Massive State Funeral for Slain Supreme Leader Khamenei