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Reports from Iranian media suggest that the United States engaged in behind-the-scenes efforts to deter foreign nations from attending the funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Consequently, over a dozen countries either withdrew their participation or reduced their representation at the event. According to the Tasnim news agency, a senior source indicated that this diplomatic initiative was initiated by the US in the days leading up to the funeral. The ceremony commenced at the Imam Khomeini Grand Musalla in Tehran, attracting delegations from various countries despite the alleged pressure tactics. The burial is scheduled for July 9 in Khamenei's hometown of Mashhad.

The Tasnim report claims that Secretary of State Marco Rubio dispatched confidential instructions to American embassies and diplomatic missions on June 26. These directives allegedly urged diplomats to utilize "all available means" to dissuade nations from attending the funeral. The report suggests that attendance would be perceived as an "unfriendly act," potentially jeopardizing relations with the US. Additionally, unnamed Arab diplomats indicated that US ambassadors in parts of Africa warned that attending the funeral could threaten American development aid.

The report asserts that at least 13 countries modified their attendance plans due to the alleged US influence. This list reportedly includes three Eastern European nations, five African countries, two Gulf Arab states, and two significant East Asian powers. Some nations completely withdrew from the event, while others downgraded the seniority of their delegations. The report further notes that certain countries employed diplomatic language to justify their absence, often communicating through missions in Geneva and New York rather than making direct statements. A few attempted to send lower-ranking officials, but Iranian authorities reportedly rejected those offers.

Public funeral prayers for Khamenei and four of his relatives took place in Tehran on Sunday, marking the second day of a mourning period expected to last six days. Khamenei's death occurred during US-Israeli strikes on February 28, which escalated tensions across West Asia. Following this, the US and Iran reportedly established a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at reducing tensions, which includes a 60-day period for technical negotiations on issues such as the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program. Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has succeeded him as Iran's Supreme Leader but is anticipated to miss his father's funeral due to ongoing security concerns related to perceived Israeli assassination threats.