Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev represents Moscow at the funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He arrived in Tehran as a special representative of Vladimir Putin at the head of the official Russian delegation.
According to the Kremlin and Iranian sources, the delegation also included representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as the Muslim clergy writes IRNA, Reuters.
Medvedev’s visit has more than just ceremonial significance. Russia has dispatched one of its most prominent and hard-line political leaders to Tehran at a time when Iran is simultaneously going through mourning, the consequences of war with the United States and Israel, and the difficult transition of power after the death of Khamenei.
Khamenei’s funeral takes place almost five months after his death
Ali Khamenei died on February 28, 2026 during joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Iranian authorities have postponed the state funeral due to ongoing fighting and the unstable situation in the country. Farewell ceremonies began in Tehran on July 3 and should end on July 9 with a burial in Mashhad, next to the Imam Reza Mausoleum, reports Reuters
The program includes events in Tehran, Qom, as well as in the Iraqi Shiite centers of Najaf and Karbala. Iranian authorities view the funeral not only as a religious ceremony, but also as a demonstration of the state’s resilience after a heavy blow to its political and spiritual center.
Why did Moscow send Medvedev?
Dmitry Medvedev does not hold the post of president or head of government, but remains one of the most recognizable Russian politicians and deputy chairman of the Security Council. His dispatch to Tehran emphasizes that the Kremlin is seeking to show a special attitude towards Iran and is not limited to formal condolences at the ambassadorial level.
???? Dmitry Medvedev has landed in Tehran, heading Russia’s delegation to the funeral of martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on behalf of President Putin. pic.twitter.com/eMS8xvOBcW
— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) July 3, 2026
For Moscow, the visit carries several signals. The first is addressed to Tehran: Russia wants to confirm that it views Iran as a strategic partner, despite the pressure of sanctions, war and the change of Iranian leader. The second is addressed to the West: the Kremlin demonstrates that it does not intend to distance itself from Iran at the moment of its maximum international isolation.
At the same time, talking about “absolute military and strategic fusion” between Moscow and Tehran would be an exaggeration. Russia and Iran do interact closely on the military, diplomatic and sanctions agenda, but they also have their own interests, which do not always coincide, especially in matters of energy, the Caucasus, Syria, trade and relations with individual Gulf countries.
Iran after Khamenei
After the death of Ali Khamenei, his son Mojtaba Khamenei became the Supreme Leader of Iran. He was seriously wounded in the same strike and, according to international media reports, has made few public appearances yet. The change of power in Iran is taking place under conditions of war, the pressure of sanctions, internal economic problems and the struggle for control over the power system, writes Reuters.
In such a situation, the presence of foreign delegations is important not only for the protocol. For the Iranian leadership, this is a way to show that the country is not left alone. For Moscow, this is an opportunity to consolidate political contacts with the new power configuration in Tehran and maintain channels of influence.
The Moscow-Tehran axis: an alliance, but not a single headquarters
In recent years, Russia and Iran have become noticeably closer. They are united by sanctions pressure, conflict with the United States, coordination on individual international platforms, and the desire to reduce dependence on Western financial and technological infrastructure.
However, relations between the two countries cannot be reduced to the simple formula of “a single anti-Western bloc.” Moscow and Tehran have different economic scales, different regional priorities, and different levels of willingness to take risks. Their partnership is built primarily on pragmatism: both sides believe that the current international system is working against them, and therefore are looking for ways to strengthen each other’s positions where it is beneficial.
Medvedev’s visit to Khamenei’s funeral is primarily a high-level symbolic gesture. Moscow is showing that it considers Iran an important partner and wants to be present in the formation of a new political reality in Tehran. But the visit itself does not mean the automatic creation of a “united front” or an unconditional military alliance: in big politics, even the loudest funeral does not cancel the own interests of each side.
Sources: IRNA, Reuters, Reuters. Information about the composition of delegations and the course of ceremonies may be updated.
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