Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev stated that Iran possesses a 'backup weapon' that could also be used in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. He described Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz as a tool as powerful as nuclear weapons. Medvedev warned that renewed large-scale conflict in the region could disrupt shipping through these vital maritime routes but expressed hope that the situation would not escalate that far.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, located between Yemen, Djibouti, and Eritrea, connects the Arabian Sea to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, making it a key global trade route. Medvedev’s remarks come after Yemen’s Houthi rebels previously threatened to close the Bab al-Mandeb passage. He also sharply criticized recent U.S. attacks on Iran, calling them unprovoked and a violation of international law, noting that Iran posed no threat while negotiations were ongoing.

Medvedev urged all parties seeking to inflame conflict in the Middle East to consider the potential consequences of disrupting these strategic waterways.

Millions of people attended the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Between 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 7:00 a.m. Sunday, more than seven million passengers used the Tehran Metro, marking a record number of travelers within just 13 hours and 30 minutes. The funeral prayer took place at Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran on Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m., led by Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani.

The funeral prayer was conducted in three stages. The first stage was dedicated to the late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The second stage included prayers for Boshra Hosseini Khamenei, Mesbah al-Huda Bakeri, and Zahra Haddad Adel. The third stage was held for Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani, Khamenei’s granddaughter.

The report highlights the massive turnout and logistical scale of the event, with Tehran’s metro system handling unprecedented passenger volumes during the funeral period.

The funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four members of his family, who were killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel, has been completed. Millions of people attended the ceremony, along with Khamenei’s sons Masoud, Mesam, and Mostafa. The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ahmad Vahidi, was also present at the event.

According to the Associated Press, Khamenei’s son and current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei did not attend due to security risks following Israeli threats of assassination. The funeral drew massive crowds, reflecting the scale of public mourning across Iran. The report cited Al Jazeera as a source for additional details.

The ceremony took place under heightened security conditions, underscoring the tense atmosphere in Iran after the attack that killed the country’s top leader and members of his family.

The funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four of his family members was held in Tehran on Sunday morning, the third day of a seven-day mourning and burial process. The ceremony took place at 8 a.m. local time, led by Shia cleric Jafar Sobhani. Khamenei, aged 86, was killed on February 28 in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack that also claimed the lives of his daughter Bushra Khamenei, granddaughter Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani, and other relatives. State media showed Zahra’s small coffin placed beside her grandfather’s.

Iran declared a national holiday for the funeral, with large crowds gathering in the capital under tight security. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the arrangements, and authorities warned of overcrowding risks. Millions of Iranians had joined earlier mourning events, marking one of the largest gatherings since the 1989 funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Following Khamenei’s death, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was named the new Supreme Leader but has not appeared publicly due to security threats. The funeral procession will continue through Qom, Iraq, and Mashhad, where Khamenei will be buried on Thursday.

Iran’s ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, announced that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz will soon be subject to new service fees. Speaking at the World Peace Forum in Beijing, he said countries that supported Iran during difficult times would receive special privileges. Fazli clarified that the charges would not be considered tolls but service fees aimed at ensuring maritime safety, monitoring vessel movement, and addressing environmental impacts from heavy traffic.

Earlier, a preliminary agreement between Iran and the United States had allowed commercial vessels to transit the strait without fees for 60 days following the suspension of hostilities. However, the rules beyond that period remain unclear. Fazli also revealed that Iran and Oman are jointly developing a new management system for the strait’s operations.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime routes, carrying about one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas. During recent Middle East conflicts, Iran nearly closed the passage, causing a sharp rise in global energy prices.

A large state ceremony began in Tehran to honor former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a February 28 airstrike amid Iran’s war with the United States and Israel. The event emphasized preserving the Islamic Republic and avenging Khamenei’s death. Thousands gathered at the Grand Mosalla memorial site, where his glass-covered coffin was displayed under heavy guard by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Red flags symbolizing martyrdom and revenge were raised, and the official slogan, “We must awaken,” was widely displayed.

Strict security measures were in place across the capital, with armored vehicles, snipers, and electronic device checks at entry points. Authorities expect millions to participate nationwide, with Iran effectively shut down until Monday. Khamenei’s funeral procession is scheduled to move through Tehran and several holy cities before burial in Mashhad on Thursday.

Foreign dignitaries from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, China, and other nations attended to pay respects. The IRGC leadership called for defiant mourning, while Iran’s armed forces warned against any military action during the ceremonies.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he could have wiped out everyone attending Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral if he wanted to. In response, the Iranian embassy in Armenia issued a statement saying that while people can be killed, their ideals cannot be destroyed. The embassy’s post on social media platform X added that Trump lacks civilization, history, and respect.

The embassy’s message referenced Trump’s comments in an Axios interview, where he said Iran and the United States had agreed to temporarily pause discussions until after Khamenei’s burial. Trump also remarked that all Iranian leaders were gathered in one place and could be eliminated in a single strike, but he chose not to do so to preserve future talks. He expressed surprise at the large turnout at Khamenei’s funeral, noting he had assumed the late leader was not popular among ordinary Iranians.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran following Khamenei’s death and the uncertain future of bilateral dialogue.

Large numbers of people continued to gather in Tehran on Sunday for the final farewell ceremony of Iran’s Islamic Revolution leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The event marked the third day of funeral proceedings. Security forces, emergency services, medical teams, and volunteers were deployed to ensure smooth management, with arrangements made for transportation, medical aid, food, and rest facilities.

The mourning ceremony began early Sunday at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla, the city’s main prayer venue, drawing mourners from across the country. The area turned into a sea of grief as citizens paid their last respects to the leader who had guided Iran since 1989. Khamenei, aged 86, was killed on February 28 in an attack attributed to the United States and Israel.

Authorities maintained heightened security across the capital throughout the weeklong observances, deploying armored vehicles, heavy machine guns, and snipers around the ceremony site.

US President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the massive turnout of mourners at the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a phone interview with Axios, Trump said he had thought people hated Khamenei but was astonished to see millions crying. He also remarked that he could have eliminated everyone at the funeral but refrained, noting that both sides agreed to pause discussions until the ceremonies concluded.

The funeral and mourning events began in Tehran on Friday, with religious rituals and processions continuing for seven days across Iran and Iraq. Iranian authorities expect 15 to 20 million people to pay their respects in Tehran alone. Foreign dignitaries from several countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia, China, and Turkey, attended the ceremonies. Security measures were tightened, with road closures and restricted airspace.

Khamenei, who ruled Iran for over three decades, was killed in a joint US-Israeli attack on February 28. Following a temporary ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, Iran and the US are now pursuing permanent peace talks mediated by Qatar and Pakistan.

At a tribute ceremony held on Friday for Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, different verses from the Holy Quran were recited before visiting foreign delegations. For the Saudi Arabian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Al-Khereiji, Iran chose to recite verse 13 from Surah Al-Imran, which references the historic Battle of Badr between believers and non-believers.

According to Iran International, the selection of this specific verse may have carried symbolic meaning, though Iranian authorities have not issued any official explanation. The verse describes divine support for believers during the battle, emphasizing lessons for those with insight. Other foreign delegations present at the event were also read different Quranic verses.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many observers speculating about possible diplomatic implications. However, neither Iran nor Saudi Arabia has made any formal comment on the matter.

Iran has begun unprecedented funeral and burial arrangements for its former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed four months ago in a joint U.S.-Israel attack. The six-day program spans five cities in Iran and Iraq, with Tehran expecting between 10 and 20 million participants. During this period, extensive discussions are taking place about Khamenei’s life and teachings.

Khamenei’s autobiography, “Cell Number 14,” provides insight into his early years as an imam. He began leading prayers at the small Imam Hasan Mosque in Mashhad before moving to the larger Keramat Mosque, which became a hub for students and merchants. Authorities later barred him from leading prayers there due to his growing popularity. He then returned to Imam Hasan Mosque, delivering sermons after evening prayers.

The book also recounts his time in Tehran in 1966, his exile in Iranshahr where he led prayers at Al-Rasul Mosque, and his imprisonment in Mashhad’s military prison, where his religious influence led guards to restrict his activities.

Iran is holding an unprecedented six-day mourning program across five cities in Iran and Iraq for former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed four months ago in a joint U.S.-Israel attack. Tehran expects between 10 and 20 million people to participate in the funeral and burial ceremonies. During this period, discussions have intensified about various aspects of Khamenei’s life and teachings.

In his autobiography ‘Cell Number 14,’ Khamenei wrote extensively about his wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, praising her courage and resilience. He described how she remained steadfast during repeated raids by SAVAK agents and his multiple arrests, showing no fear or weakness. Khamenei noted her patience during his imprisonment, her modest lifestyle before and after the revolution, and her refusal to seek luxury or jewelry, instead donating valuables to charity.

The publication of these reflections has drawn renewed attention to Khamenei’s personal values of simplicity, endurance, and devotion, which continue to shape public remembrance during the national mourning period.

Iran is holding a state funeral for its longest-serving Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose death marks the end of a significant chapter in the country’s political history. Khamenei assumed leadership in 1989, following the Iran-Iraq war, and consolidated authority over the armed forces, judiciary, state media, and key strategic appointments.

Under his rule, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) became a dominant force in Iran’s security, politics, and economy. Khamenei oversaw the expansion of Iran’s ballistic missile program, citing the need to strengthen resistance against the United States, Israel, and regional rivals. His tenure was also defined by persistent disputes with Western powers over Iran’s nuclear program. While denying any pursuit of nuclear weapons, he maintained Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

Khamenei’s regional strategy deepened Iran’s influence through alliances with friendly governments and armed groups, heightening tensions with Gulf Arab states, Israel, and the United States. His death has sparked both national mourning and renewed debate over Iran’s future leadership and political direction.

Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations has accused the United States of fostering a “culture of impunity” by refusing to accept responsibility for the 1988 downing of Iran Air Flight 655. In a post on social media platform X, the mission recalled that on July 3, 1988, a US Navy vessel shot down the civilian airliner over the Persian Gulf, killing 290 passengers, including 66 children. The mission said that instead of accountability, the US president at the time awarded medals to the naval personnel involved.

The post further alleged that this pattern of impunity continues, citing the US refusal to take responsibility for a Tomahawk missile strike on a school in Minab that killed 168 children. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also marked July 3 as a day of remembrance for what he called a crime that claimed innocent lives and was compounded by the US failure to apologize or hold anyone accountable.

The United States has not issued any immediate response to these latest accusations.

Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran’s Mosalla area to mourn the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressing grief and chanting slogans calling for the destruction of America and revenge, according to a BBC report. Iran’s state television said the six-day state funeral ceremonies began on Saturday. Before Khamenei’s coffin arrived, large crowds had already assembled, many carrying red flags and placards symbolizing calls for vengeance.

The ceremony drew religious figures, government officials, and foreign dignitaries who paid their respects. Among them were Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev, and Afghanistan’s Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Representatives from Iraq, Armenia, Turkey, and Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman also attended.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Washington had given Tehran one week to bury the former leader, describing the gesture as an act of goodwill. Khamenei, who ruled Iran for nearly 37 years, was killed on February 28 during the early stages of U.S. and Israeli attacks, with his burial taking place more than four months later.