As a funeral ceremony for Iran’s slain Supreme Leader began over the weekend, the Islamic Republic appeared to use an unusual form of diplomatic signalling through Qur’anic recitation.
Delegations from across the region and beyond travelled to Tehran to pay respects to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on 28 February, the opening day of war that immediately drew in much of the Middle East .
As foreign envoys passed the podium where Khamenei and four members of his family lay in coffins, different Qur'anic verses were recited. The selections appeared to vary depending on Iran’s relationship with each country – from close partners to rivalry.
The moment came against a backdrop of sharply strained regional ties. Iran’s relations with several Gulf states have been marked by periods of confrontation, including Iranian missile and drone attacks on US-linked sites in Gulf countries during the wider escalation with Israel and the United States.
Meanwhile, relations with Lebanon have also deteriorated since last year amid tensions over Hezbollah and Iranian influence on the group, and Beirut’s attempts to impose state authority over the whole country. Saudi Arabia: 'Two armies in battle' When the Saudi delegation entered , a verse from Surah Al-Imran was recited, which read: "There has already been for you a sign in the two armies which met in battle [...]".
The verse refers to the Battle of Badr in 624 CE, when a smaller early Muslim army defeated a larger army from Mecca, at the time an important centre for pagans. It is traditionally read as a reminder that victory is determined not by material strength, but by divine will.
In a modern political reading, its use in front of the Saudi delegation was seen as a symbolic framing of opposing camps, with some interpreting it as a reflection of broader regional rivalry despite recent attempts to stabilise ties following the recent conflict. Qatar: 'Completion of favour' The Qatari delegation was met with a verse from Surah Al-Fath that said: "So that God may forgive you your past and future sins, complete His favour upon you, and guide you to a straight path."
The surah is linked to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, a truce between the early Muslim community and the pagan Quraysh that initially appeared unfavourable for Muslims but later came to be seen as a strategic breakthrough.
The verse was widely read as aligning with Qatar’s diplomatic positioning, particularly its key role as a mediator in US-Iran negotiations. Lebanon: obedience and authority Lebanon’s Defence Minister Michel Menassa attended separately from a Hezbollah delegation, reflecting the country’s deep internal political split at a moment of heightened regional pressure. The verse recited in his presence came from Surah An-Nisa: "And if We had commanded them, ‘Kill yourselves or leave your homes,’ they would not have done it except for a few of them…"
In Islamic tradition, the verse speaks to obedience and sacrifice, as well as the consequences of failing to follow difficult instructions.
In this instance, it was read by observers as carrying political undertones about authority and cohesion in Lebanon, where state institutions operate in parallel with Hezbollah’s armed wing.
The symbolism has been made more prominent by over a year of worsening relations between Beirut and Tehran, including disputes over Hezbollah’s role as a militant group, restrictions on Iranian flights and the expulsion of its ambassador , and Lebanon’s broader effort to reassert state sovereignty.
Hezbollah representatives were seen visibly emotional during the ceremony, with their separate attendance highlighting Lebanon’s internal divisions over the Iran-backed group. Russia: humility and restraint A verse from Surah Al-Qasas was recited for the Russian delegation: "That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption…"
The verse makes a contrast between arrogance and corruption and humility and righteousness, drawing on the Qur’anic narrative of Moses (Musa) and Pharaoh.
In a modern-day interpretation, it was read either as a reflection of Russia’s portrayal as a stabilising global actor or as a broader caution against domination and overreach in international affairs.
Turkey, Pakistan and China were also among the delegations present, with recitations for those countries reportedly framed in more conciliatory language, reflecting Iran’s emphasis on partnership and continuity of relations with states seen as part of its broader diplomatic and strategic alignment.
Across the ceremony, the recitations appeared to be more than just ritual. Read alongside the attending delegations and Iran’s regional relationships, they were widely seen as a form of subtle diplomatic messaging - alliances, tensions, and shifting regional alignments through religious language.