Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad paid tribute on behalf of Bangladesh at the state funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Saturday.

At the solemn ceremony held at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, the Speaker offered prayers for the departed leader and conveyed condolences and solidarity from the government and people of Bangladesh to the Iranian nation.

During the visit, according to a press release, he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior leaders, expressing sympathy over Khamenei’s death. He also signed the condolence book opened in honour of the late Iranian leader.

Earlier, the Speaker held a bilateral meeting with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Hafiz Uddin arrived in Tehran on Friday to attend the state funeral and was received at the airport by Iranian Deputy Speaker Hamid Reza Haji Babaei.

During the meeting, the Speaker condemned what he described as the “brutal killing” of Iran’s Supreme Leader and reaffirmed the centuries-old friendship, as well as the deep cultural and diplomatic ties, between Bangladesh and Iran.

He also praised Ghalibaf’s constructive role in implementing the recently signed peace memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, expressing hope that the agreement would contribute to lasting peace, stability and prosperity in Iran and the wider region.

The Speaker said Bangladesh would continue to support the peace process and expressed optimism that dialogue and diplomacy would lead to lasting solutions to regional challenges.

He invited Ghalibaf to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time to further strengthen bilateral parliamentary relations.

Later, the Speaker met Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, who sought Bangladesh’s assistance in developing cricket in Iran and expressed interest in signing a memorandum of understanding to expand sports cooperation between the two countries.

Hafiz Uddin said he would convey the proposal to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The Speaker also gave an interview to the Bangla Service of Iran Radio, where he discussed Bangladesh-Iran bilateral relations and regional issues. He said he would urge the relevant authorities in Bangladesh to enhance consular services for Bangladeshi expatriates living in Iran.