Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif to Attend State Funeral of Irans Supreme Leader Khamenei, Signaling Deepening Regional Ties

BREAKING: Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif will attend the state funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Pakistan's foreign ministry said on Thursday. More on https://t.co/5H0QqpfIYw https://t.co/VccAvpHzJh News Analysis & Summary In a dramatic turn of events, Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has confirmed his attendance at the state funeral of Irans former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a statement from Pakistans foreign ministry on Thursday. This move underscores the evolving diplomatic landscape in the Middle East and South Asia. While the announcement comes as a surprise given Khameneis long-standing influence, it reflects Pakistans strategic balancing act between its historical ties with Saudi Arabia and its growing economic and security cooperation with Iran. My opinion: This decision is both a gesture of solidarity and a pragmatic step to secure Pakistans interests in a post-Khamenei Iran. The funeral will likely serve as a platform for regional negotiations, especially concerning Afghanistan and energy corridors. However, it also risks straining relations with Gulf states wary of Irans regional ambitions. The attendance of a sitting Pakistani PM at the funeral of a deceased Iranian leaderif confirmedwould be unprecedented and could reshape expectations for bilateral relations in the coming years. Source: @AJENews on X/TwitterPublic Engagement Views: 29,672 Likes: 168 Comments: 7 Shares: 43 Published: July 2, 2026, 9:14 am