Pakistan likely to reopen Iran border for Khamenei funeral mourners, officials say

Pakistan is likely to reopen its border crossings with Iran after Tehran requested facilitation for mourners attending funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Officials said on Wednesday that Iran formally asked Islamabad to reopen the crossings. The request follows the announcement of Khamenei's funeral arrangements.

Why is Pakistan considering reopening its border with Iran?

Pakistan is likely to reopen the border because Tehran formally requested it to facilitate mourners travelling for Khamenei's funeral.

A senior Iranian official told Nukta that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian raised the matter during his recent visit to Pakistan. Pakistani leaders assured him the border would reopen once administrative and security procedures were completed.

How many people are expected to attend the funeral?

Iranian authorities expect nearly 15 million people to take part in the ceremonies, including around one million Pakistanis, alongside heads of state and senior foreign dignitaries. If Pakistan reopens the border crossings, as many as three million Pakistanis could travel to Iran for the ceremonies, the official said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir are also expected to attend. Pakistani authorities have yet to comment publicly on Tehran's reported request or any related travel arrangements.

Why was the Pakistan-Iran border closed in the first place?

Pakistan had indefinitely closed its border with Iran as a precautionary security measure during the military confrontation involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The closure followed the killing of Khamenei and several family members in US-Israeli strikes on February 28. That attack sharply escalated tensions across the region.

When and where will Khamenei's funeral take place?

Iman Attarzadeh, spokesperson for the committee overseeing the commemorations, said funeral ceremonies will begin in Tehran on July 4. Two days of farewell ceremonies will be followed by a funeral procession in the Iranian capital, after which the body will move to Qom for a public procession on July 7 before burial in Khamenei's hometown of Mashhad on July 9.

Attarzadeh said additional funeral ceremonies will be held on July 8 in the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, in response to repeated requests from Iraq.

How are Iranian cities preparing for the influx of mourners?

Sources in Iran told Nukta that authorities introduced a 10-day visa facility for those wishing to attend the ceremonies, triggering a surge in hotel bookings across major cities. With millions of visitors expected, officials said accommodation will extend beyond hotels.

Local communities have launched initiatives such as "Every Home a Mawkib," while Hussainiyahs and mosques in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad are being prepared to host visitors. Attarzadeh said national institutions have mobilized resources to organize the ceremonies and ensure visitor safety throughout the events.