Claim
Iran's government has also invited other Indian leaders to the funeral, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid and Congress media head Pawan Kheda; Khurshid said he is going while Kharge will not be able to attend.
“ईरान की सरकार ने भारत के और भी नेताओं को इस अंतिम विदाई कार्यक्रम के लिए निमंत्रित किया है। इनमें कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष मलिकार्जुन खड़गे, पूर्व विदेश मंत्री सलमान खुर्शीद, कांग्रेस की मीडिया और पब्लिसिटी विंग के प्रमुख पवन खेड़ा”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
Multiple contemporaneous Indian news reports (July 1-2, 2026) confirm the Iranian government invited Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid, and Congress media head Pawan Khera to the burial ceremonies of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Reports also confirm Kharge could not attend and nominated Khurshid, who departed to represent the party — matching every specific detail in the anchor's claim. No fact-checker flagged the statement as false.
Evidence
- https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/iran-invites-kharge-salman-khurshid-and-pawan-khera-to-khameneis-burial-ceremonies-540380-2026-07-01 Reports Iran invited Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Salman Khurshid and Pawan Khera to Ayatollah Khamenei's burial ceremonies, matching the three names in the claim. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.outlookindia.com/international/ayatollah-ali-khamenei-funeral-india-global-leaders-to-attend-iran-state-ceremonies States Kharge was unable to attend and nominated Salman Khurshid to represent the Congress, and that Khurshid departed for the ceremonies — corroborating 'Khurshid is going while Kharge will not attend.' ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.oneindia.com/india/iran-invites-kharge-salman-khurshid-pawan-khera-to-attend-ayatollah-khameneis-funeral-8135349.html Independent report confirming Iran's invitation to Kharge, Khurshid and Khera for the state funeral held July 4-9, 2026. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.newsx.com/world/who-are-the-congress-leaders-invited-to-ayatollah-khameneis-state-funeral-in-iran-243444/ Lists the three Congress leaders invited to Khamenei's state funeral, including Pawan Khera as Congress media/publicity head. ✓ reachable · archived