The United States reportedly carried out a diplomatic effort to discourage foreign governments from attending the funeral procession of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which resulted
in several countries reducing or cancelling their participation, according to Iranian media.
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Washington began its outreach about a week before the funeral. Citing an Iranian source, the report claimed the campaign was led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio along with American ambassadors across the world.
Rubio Allegedly Urged Allies To Stay Away
Tasnim alleged that US officials warned several governments that attending the funeral at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Musalla would be considered an “unfriendly act” and could negatively affect bilateral ties with Washington. The report also claimed the US threatened to reduce development assistance to some countries if they chose to send representatives to the event.
According to the report, two Arab diplomats confirmed that Rubio personally contacted at least five Arab countries, urging them not to participate in the funeral, warning that doing so could have consequences for their relations with the United States. It also alleged that several African nations were cautioned that their US development aid could be affected.
Huge Crowds Gather For Khamenei’s Funeral
Tasnim further claimed that at least 13 countries either withdrew entirely or lowered the level of their representation at the funeral. These reportedly included three Eastern European countries, five African nations, two Persian Gulf Arab states and two major East Asian countries.
Meanwhile, news agency AP reported that hundreds of thousands gathered for the funeral in Tehran, with crowds chanting “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” while calling for revenge over the February 28 attack that killed the 86-year-old Iranian leader.
