Speaker of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmad paid tribute on behalf of Bangladesh at the state funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.
At the solemn ceremony held at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, the Speaker offered prayers for the departed leader and conveyed condolences and solidarity to the people of Iran on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh.
During the programme, he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior leaders, and signed the condolence book.
Earlier, the Speaker held a bilateral meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. He 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, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader and reaffirmed the longstanding friendship, deep cultural ties and strong diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Iran.
He also appreciated the constructive role played by Ghalibaf in advancing the recently signed memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States aimed at promoting peace and stability.
Expressing hope that the agreement would contribute to lasting peace, stability and prosperity in Iran and across the wider region, the Speaker reiterated Bangladesh’s continued support for peace efforts and emphasized resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
He formally invited his Iranian counterpart to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time to further strengthen parliamentary cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries.
Later, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad met Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali. During the meeting, the Iranian minister sought Bangladesh’s assistance in developing cricket in Iran and expressed interest in signing a memorandum of understanding on sports cooperation.
The Speaker said he would convey the proposal to the relevant authorities in Bangladesh.
He also gave an interview to Radio Iran’s Bangla Service, where he discussed bilateral relations and regional issues involving Bangladesh and Iran.
Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said he would request the relevant authorities in Bangladesh to enhance consular and other services for Bangladeshi expatriates living in Iran.
