The Cuban government appointed Walter Baluja García, the Minister of Higher Education, as the head of the official delegation traveling to Tehran to attend the funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The state funeral commenced on July 4 in the Iranian capital.
A statement from the Cuban embassy in Iran noted that Baluja García was welcomed on the same day by Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iran's Islamic Consultative Assembly. They discussed bilateral relations and the necessity of advancing economic, commercial, financial, and cooperative ties.
Boroujerdi expressed gratitude for the Cuban delegation's presence in Iran to honor the late leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, according to the statement.
Khamenei was killed on February 28, 2026, during "Operation Epic Fury," a joint airstrike by the United States and Israel that also claimed the lives of his daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law. Iran declared a 40-day official mourning period, with the six-day state funeral extending across five cities in Iran and Iraq. The final burial is scheduled for July 9 in Mashhad, the Ayatollah's hometown.
The choice to send a Higher Education Minister, rather than a foreign minister or vice president, to lead the delegation is intriguing given the proclaimed alliance level between the two regimes. This decision might be seen as a calculated move: visible enough to affirm solidarity but without elevating the diplomatic profile to the highest level.
Cuba was among approximately 30 allied countries' delegations present at the funerals, alongside nations like Nicaragua, Belarus, Serbia, Qatar, and Egypt. No Western countries or nations supporting the military attack sent representatives.
Participation in the funerals marks the culmination of a series of solidarity gestures from Havana toward Tehran following the Ayatollah's death. On February 28, Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the bombings as a "flagrant violation of International Law." The following day, he described Khamenei's assassination as an "execrable act." On March 5, Díaz-Canel signed the condolence book at the Iranian embassy in Havana alongside Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and the Director of Bilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Cuban regime also formally requested the UN Security Council to intervene and halt the U.S. and Israeli military offensive against Iran.
Cuba and Iran have maintained diplomatic relations since August 8, 1979, following the Islamic Revolution, sharing common positions in international forums against the Western liberal order. In December 2023, Díaz-Canel visited Tehran and was personally received by Khamenei, sealing agreements in energy, health, and technology.
The new Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, the Ayatollah's son, was appointed on March 9, 2026, by the Assembly of Experts, although he was injured in the legs during the February 28 attack and has not appeared in public since.
Understanding the Iran-Cuba Diplomatic Relations
Why did Cuba send a Higher Education Minister to Iran?
Cuba chose to send its Higher Education Minister as a gesture of solidarity that is visible yet does not elevate the diplomatic engagement to the highest level, reflecting the proclaimed alliance between the two countries.
What was the impact of Operation Epic Fury?
Operation Epic Fury, a joint airstrike by the United States and Israel, resulted in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several members of his family, leading Iran to declare a 40-day mourning period and organize a state funeral across multiple cities.
How have Cuba and Iran maintained their diplomatic relations?
Cuba and Iran have shared diplomatic ties since 1979, supporting each other in international forums against Western liberal policies and engaging in agreements in sectors like energy, health, and technology.