World leaders and foreign representatives attended the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday, July 3, 2026, in Tehran. Despite the global presence, no representatives from Saudi Arabia or other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries were reported to have joined the ceremony. The event marked the beginning of a weeklong state mourning program in Iran, with the first day reserved for foreign dignitaries and officials.

Saudi-based media noted that Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister had attended the funeral of former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi about 14 months earlier, but Riyadh has not sent any delegation this time. Similarly, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain have remained absent. Analysts view this as a reflection of Gulf states’ cautious stance regarding Iran’s leadership transition, particularly over the possible succession of Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei.

The absence of GCC representatives contrasts sharply with their participation in Raisi’s 2024 funeral, suggesting a coordinated diplomatic posture. However, no official GCC statement or joint discussion on the matter has been made public so far.