Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has warned that the Cuban people will fight to the last drop of blood if the United States launches a military attack on the island. Speaking to Sky News, he said Cuba is prepared for any scenario, though it cannot confirm whether an attack will happen. His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that “Cuba is moving toward us,” which Díaz-Canel dismissed as deliberate misinformation and psychological pressure.

The Cuban leader accused Washington of violating international law and insulting the Cuban people through false propaganda. He rejected U.S. allegations of Chinese or Russian military bases in Cuba and described the long-standing U.S. embargo as the most enduring blockade in human history, responsible for power shortages, medicine scarcity, and economic hardship. Díaz-Canel also condemned new U.S. fuel sanctions imposed in January as a crime and an act of genocide.

He cited Cuba’s historical resistance, quoting independence hero Antonio Maceo, and said millions of Cubans are ready to defend their sovereignty if necessary.

On June 12, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar called US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to protest the deaths of three Indian sailors killed in a US strike in the Gulf of Oman on June 9. The sailors were aboard the Palau-flagged tanker Setebello, which Washington claimed violated sanctions on Iran-linked vessels. Rubio’s response was firm, offering no apology or assurance against recurrence. The incident has exposed deep cracks in the US-India relationship, even as both nations publicly maintain a façade of stability.

The Iran war and its aftermath have severely affected India’s economy and politics. Rising crude prices, inflation, and supply disruptions have weakened the rupee and reduced remittances, while foreign investors withdraw capital. Politically, Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces criticism for failing to protect Indian citizens and for overreliance on US ties. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s role in facilitating US-Iran talks has further undermined India’s regional standing.

Despite ongoing defense and technology cooperation, mutual trust has eroded. Washington’s protectionist policies and India’s strategic recalibration toward China signal a shifting balance. Analysts warn that unless mutual respect and parity are restored, the partnership’s foundation may not endure beyond current leadership cycles.

The official farewell ceremony for Iran’s late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has begun at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla. Foreign guests and religious figures are paying their respects to Khamenei and others killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack. The bodies were brought to the Grand Mosalla early Friday, where the public will be allowed to pay tribute over two days.

Among the first foreign visitors were religious and cultural figures from Indonesia and Afghanistan, along with representatives of Iran’s recognized religious minorities. Senior officials and delegates from more than 30 countries, including Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Georgia, and Cuba, have already arrived in Tehran. Around 100 nations are expected to send representatives to the ceremonies.

A family farewell was held Thursday evening, attended by relatives of those killed in the recent 40-day war and staff from the late leader’s office. Iranian officials estimate that between 10 and 20 million people may attend the burial ceremony.

Following the recent war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, Middle Eastern countries are reassessing their security strategies. Analysts say Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members are exploring new defense partnerships beyond the United States, as the conflict exposed vulnerabilities across the region. Iran’s attacks on Gulf territories and U.S. bases during the war have intensified concerns about overreliance on Washington.

Saudi Arabia had already signed a defense pact with Pakistan before the conflict, and experts suggest similar cooperation could expand to other nations. Gulf states have been diversifying defense ties with Europe, Russia, and China, while maintaining relations with the U.S. Researchers note that the goal is not to replace Washington but to strengthen regional balance and resilience against both Iran and Israel. Some countries are also pursuing economic engagement with Tehran to reduce future hostilities.

The U.S. administration has indicated a shift in priorities away from the Middle East, though it continues to support Israel militarily. Analysts believe that if Iran and the U.S. reach a lasting agreement, regional states may increasingly take responsibility for their own security.

Representatives from around 100 countries are expected to attend the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei announced on Thursday via state television that heads of state, parliament speakers, foreign ministers, and special envoys from various governments will participate in the ceremony.

Baghaei described the farewell and burial ceremony as a historic and highly significant event for the people of Iran, the Middle East, and Muslims worldwide. He said that many government officials, dignitaries, and ordinary citizens from different countries are traveling to Iran to take part in the event.

The funeral is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. local time on Friday and continue until noon, with senior officials and political leaders joining between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. The Iranian government has called for a large public turnout at the ceremony.

Israel has bulldozed at least 500 olive trees owned by Palestinians near the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, according to a report published on July 3, 2026. The destruction occurred just a few months before the olive harvest season, a critical period for many Palestinian farmers.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, also revealed that since 2020, more than 120,000 olive trees belonging to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have been destroyed. These trees were either uprooted, poisoned, or damaged through other means. The incident adds to a growing record of agricultural losses faced by Palestinian communities in the region.

The large-scale destruction of olive trees, a key source of livelihood and cultural identity for Palestinians, underscores ongoing tensions in the occupied territories and raises concerns about the sustainability of local agriculture.

Former U.S.-Iran negotiator Alan Eyre has said that the United States should move faster in its discussions with Tehran following the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Khamenei. He told Al Jazeera that maintaining momentum in the dialogue is essential and that the current pace has been too slow.

Eyre, a diplomatic fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, stated that both sides now need to engage in longer and more frequent talks. He noted that while the funeral required a temporary pause, the U.S. should significantly increase the pace of negotiations once the ceremonies conclude. He also pointed out that the two sides have yet to progress beyond the initial stages on key issues such as managing and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.

Eyre further mentioned that resolving the Lebanon issue remains necessary, while the nuclear question continues to underlie the broader regional tensions.

During secret peace talks between the United States and Iran earlier this year, Israeli authorities allegedly planned to assassinate senior Iranian representatives, according to US officials. The plan reportedly targeted Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Washington feared that such attacks would derail the fragile negotiations, prompting the US to warn Tehran through several Middle Eastern intermediaries.

The conflict began on February 28 when an Israeli airstrike, aided partly by US intelligence, killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures. While the US initially shared Israel’s goal of weakening Iran’s leadership, their objectives diverged once peace discussions began in April. The US sought a ceasefire and eventual peace deal, while Israel opposed halting the war, aiming instead to topple Iran’s government.

Despite assassination threats, Araghchi and Ghalibaf continued diplomatic efforts, leading to a preliminary US-Iran agreement in June to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear talks. Israeli officials viewed the deal as a strategic setback, fearing it would strengthen Iran economically and militarily.

Iran’s representative in India has said that Mojtaba Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader of Iran and son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will not attend his father’s funeral and burial ceremonies. The envoy, Ayatollah Hakim Elahi, told India Today that the decision was made for security reasons. He cited ongoing threats from Israel against Iran’s top leadership as the main cause for Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence.

The report comes after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made threatening remarks directed at Khamenei. In response, Iran’s foreign minister warned that any future threats would be met with a strong reaction. The funeral and state mourning ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 during the onset of a conflict involving the United States and Israel, are being held over several days in Iran.

The situation underscores heightened regional tensions and security concerns surrounding Iran’s leadership during the national mourning period.

Israel’s largest oil refinery in Haifa Bay suffered extensive damage during recent missile attacks by Iran amid the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Although Israeli authorities initially attempted to downplay the extent of the damage, new reports indicate that the destruction is far greater than previously acknowledged. Reconstruction of the facility is expected to be completed by 2028, according to Israeli media.

Channel 12 News reported that two separate Iranian attacks earlier this year caused severe damage to the refinery, contradicting earlier claims by Energy Minister Eli Cohen and the operating company Bazan that the impact was minor. A government report cited by Yeshiva World revealed major damage to gas turbines, steam boilers, electrical rooms, and other support systems. The Interior Ministry has already approved large-scale reconstruction work at the site.

The Bazan refinery is a key strategic industrial facility for Israel, supplying oil for industry, agriculture, infrastructure, and domestic use. The full extent of damage from Iranian missile strikes in recent years remains obscured under strict military censorship.

Save the Children has confirmed that at least 21,000 children have died in Gaza during 1,000 days of war, according to a report cited by Turkey-based TRT World on Thursday. The organization said hundreds of thousands more children have been displaced and deprived of education. Despite losing homes, schools, and a sense of safety, many children continue to hope for peace.

Ahmad Alhendawi, the organization’s regional director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, stated that the world has failed to protect one million children in Gaza over the past 1,000 days by not intervening to stop killings and injuries. Save the Children reported that about 80 percent of Gaza’s children—over 800,000—are displaced, and 625,000 school-age children have been out of formal education for three years.

The group called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, accountability for crimes against children, and a halt to arms supplies to Israel. It noted that despite a ceasefire declared in October 2025, Israeli attacks have continued, leaving more than 73,000 people dead and Gaza largely in ruins.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is traveling to Tehran to attend the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Al Jazeera. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andarabi told reporters that Sharif will visit Iran and Turkey from July 3 to 5. The funeral ceremonies for Khamenei will begin in Tehran on July 4 and conclude with his burial in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9.

Ayatollah Khamenei, aged 86, served as Iran’s Supreme Leader for 36 years and was widely known as a strong critic of the United States. He was reported to have been killed on February 28, during the first day of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has called for a large turnout at the funeral to honor Khamenei’s legacy.

The visit by Pakistan’s prime minister underscores the close diplomatic ties between Islamabad and Tehran, as regional leaders prepare to pay their respects during the multi-day funeral events.

Following indirect talks between the United States and Iran in Doha, Washington has delivered a clear message to Tehran regarding the Hormuz Strait. According to a report by Saudi-based Al Arabiya citing sources, the US stated it would not accept any change to the current status quo in the strategic waterway. Washington reportedly told Tehran that any attempt to alter the existing situation would be considered a violation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries. The US also views Iran’s conduct in the strait as the first test of its commitment to implementing the agreement.

Sources added that the US is closely monitoring Iran’s activities in the area and has linked future progress on releasing Iran’s frozen funds to Tehran’s compliance with the MoU. Earlier, Iran warned that any US interference in the Hormuz Strait would be met with a “swift and severe” response. Iranian state media reported that its military headquarters accused US aircraft deployments of endangering regional security.

Mediators indicated that the next round of indirect US-Iran talks will take place after the funeral of Iran’s supreme leader. Despite progress in reopening the strait and reducing tensions, several key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, remain unresolved.

Iran’s military headquarters has issued a strong warning to the United States, declaring that the Strait of Hormuz is not a playground for Washington and asserting it as an undisputed part of the Islamic Republic’s sovereignty. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that any U.S. interference in the area would be met with a swift and decisive military response.

According to the statement, all commercial vessels must use Iran-designated maritime routes for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, or face consequences. Citing Fars News Agency, the statement described the security and stability of this vital waterway as a “red line” for Iran’s armed forces. The warning follows heightened tensions after the United States and Israel reportedly began military actions against Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to block the strait.

The declaration underscores Iran’s determination to maintain control over the strategic passage, signaling potential risks for international shipping and regional stability if tensions persist.

Major General Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Command, has warned the United States, Israel, and their allies against making any wrong decisions regarding Iran. Speaking on July 2, 2026, he said that any miscalculation about Iran would lead to devastating consequences. His remarks came in a message issued on the occasion of the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Abdollahi credited Khamenei’s leadership for strengthening Iran’s defense capabilities through advancements in missile and drone technology, scientific progress, and national security. He claimed that despite possessing modern weapons, Iran’s enemies had suffered heavy losses and humiliation in past confrontations. He also urged citizens to attend Khamenei’s funeral in large numbers to demonstrate national unity.

The commander affirmed that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to defend the country’s independence, security, and territorial integrity, and he expressed full allegiance to the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.