The composition of the foreign delegations that attended today’s opening ceremony of the mourning events in Iran is of particular diplomatic interest, ahead of the burial of the former Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ali Khamenei, which is expected to take place in the coming days in his hometown of Mashhad.

The strong presence of Russia and China was expected, which, as permanent members of the Security Council, have long served as Tehran’s primary diplomatic shield on the international stage. Equally expected was the dispatch of a large delegation from Turkey, confirming the importance Ankara attaches to its relations with Iran.

Also present were Qatar, Pakistan, Oman, and Egypt—countries that have played or continue to play an active role in the indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States.

Due to the strong Shia presence within their borders, delegations were also sent by Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Lebanon—where Shiites participate in the government and, by constitutional provision, the Speaker of Parliament is a Shiite. The Taliban regime in Afghanistan was also represented, despite the at times intense fluctuations in its relations with Tehran.

The presence of Hezbollah, the Houthis of Yemen, and the Shiite militias of Iraq—all of whom have been Iran’s key regional allies for decades—was entirely expected.

At the same time, delegations were sent by the Central Asian countries—Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan—due to the close economic and strategic ties they maintain with both Iran and Russia.

Strong trade ties with Tehran explain the presence of Armenia and Bangladesh, while the anti-American orientation of their foreign policy is believed to have led to the dispatch of delegations from Cuba, North Korea, South Africa, and Namibia.

It is striking that pro-Western India, Syria under President Al-Sarra, which has expelled Iran from its territory, as well as the internationally recognized government of Yemen, which is in conflict with the Houthis, chose to be represented at the ceremonies, thereby maintaining, according to analysts, the necessary diplomatic balance.

Bulgaria’s decision to send an official delegation to Tehran came as a particular surprise to Europe. At the same time, the participation of Gambia—Africa’s smallest country by area, which maintains close ties with Turkey—is also noteworthy, and whose vice president had previously expressed an intention to recognize the occupying pseudo-state.

The big question, however, remains unanswered. So far, Ali Khamenei’s son and current Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared in public, a fact that fuels persistent rumors that he is either no longer alive or that his health does not allow him to carry out his duties. Whether he will appear before the funeral takes place is considered one of the most critical issues in the coming days.

Watch Gabriel Charitou’s report from Jerusalem on tonight’s main news broadcast on ALPHA Cyprus with Dimitra Makrygianni: