Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the massive public participation expected at the funeral and burial of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will serve as a powerful message against terrorism, violence, and politics of intimidation. In a national address on Thursday, he said the gathering would demonstrate that the Iranian people are not afraid of pressure or threats and remain united in defending the country’s independence and dignity.

Pezeshkian emphasized that no event could break the nation’s spirit and that Iranians would continue building a prosperous, independent, and proud country. He described Khamenei’s death as a moment of deep sorrow not only for Iran but also for the Muslim world and freedom-seeking people globally. According to him, the Islamic Republic’s system stands firmly on the people’s faith, ideals, and determination.

He called on all Iranians, regardless of political or religious differences, to attend the funeral to showcase national unity and reaffirm commitment to Khamenei’s ideals of resistance, independence, and religious democracy.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has arrived in Iran to attend the funeral of the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an attack by the United States and Israel. Upon arrival, Naqvi described Iran as his “second home.” According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, representatives from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the funeral ceremonies that began on Saturday. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also scheduled to participate in the event.

Pakistan is home to millions of Shia Muslims, making up about 20 percent of its total population. Many of them regard Khamenei as their spiritual leader. Following his killing, protests erupted across Pakistan, resulting in at least 23 deaths.

The large international attendance at the funeral underscores Khamenei’s influence across the Muslim world and the deep regional tensions following his death.

Iran’s army chief Major General Amir Hatami has called on citizens to attend the farewell ceremony for the late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an attack attributed to the United States and Israel. In a statement issued Thursday, Hatami said the assassination was a tragedy not only for Iran but also for Muslims and freedom-seeking people worldwide. He emphasized that the Iranian people would never bow to enemies.

Hatami stated that the attackers had hoped to break the nation’s spirit, but instead, Iranians had become more united and determined. He described Khamenei as a symbol of courage and resistance who never abandoned the path of defiance until his final moments. The army chief urged citizens to reaffirm their commitment to the late leader’s ideals by joining the funeral and farewell events.

He added that a strong public turnout would send a clear message to adversaries that under new leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran would continue on the same path of resistance.

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.

Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s coffin has been draped with a red flag from the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, a symbol associated with the Battle of Karbala. The flag was brought from the holy shrine, and Khamenei is scheduled to be buried there on July 9. The country is currently observing mourning and farewell ceremonies following his death in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike in February at the onset of the war.

Nader Hashemi, associate professor of Middle East and Islamic politics at Georgetown University, told Al Jazeera that the red flag represents the sacrifice of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, who was martyred in the 7th-century Battle of Karbala. He explained that Iran’s leadership is drawing a symbolic parallel between Khamenei’s death and Imam Hussein’s martyrdom, portraying it as a moral and spiritual continuation of that historic struggle.

The symbolic gesture underscores Iran’s effort to frame Khamenei’s death within a broader narrative of resistance and religious sacrifice, reinforcing national unity during the mourning period.

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.

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.

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.

Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has called for a massive public turnout at the funeral of the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack. In a statement released on Thursday, Ghalibaf reaffirmed Iran’s pledge to avenge Khamenei’s death and urged citizens to attend the ceremonies starting Saturday to mark what he described as a historic moment for the Islamic Republic.

Ghalibaf said that the nation’s call for revenge should resonate across the world. According to Iranian leadership, the funeral events beginning Saturday are intended to demonstrate national unity and resistance through widespread participation.

The government has indicated that the ceremonies will serve as both a tribute to Khamenei and a show of solidarity amid heightened tensions following his death.

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.

Iran’s parliament speaker, Bagher Ghalibaf, has called for a massive public turnout at the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a statement, Ghalibaf urged Iranians to attend the ceremony to mark what he described as a glorious chapter in the nation’s history. He also declared that the nation’s call for revenge should be heard around the world.

According to the report, Khamenei was killed on February 28 in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. He had led Iran since 1989, following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who spearheaded the Islamic Revolution a decade earlier. The funeral and burial ceremonies are scheduled to take place from July 4 to 9, with strict security measures in place across the country.

The call for mass participation reflects the government’s effort to project unity and national strength during the mourning period, as Iran prepares for several days of ceremonies honoring its long-serving leader.

Iran has accelerated its oil exports following a temporary easing of US sanctions, gaining a 60‑day window to secure new buyers and generate vital revenue. According to Bloomberg, more than 20 million barrels of Iranian crude have been floating in Asian waters for at least a week, an 18 percent increase from the previous week. Data from Vortexa and Bloomberg show that since the sanctions were lifted last week, Iran’s total seaborne oil volume has reached between 58 and 68 million barrels, including both in‑transit and waiting cargoes.

About 90 percent of these floating cargoes have no confirmed destination, with many ships awaiting orders or listing Singapore as a placeholder port, a tactic often used for ship‑to‑ship transfers near the Malacca Strait. The sanctions relief came as part of an interim peace agreement, with Washington lifting restrictions on Iranian oil and ports in June. Tehran now has until mid‑August to finalize new buyers.

Iran reported that since the US naval blockade was lifted, it has shipped over 40 million barrels of oil to various countries, potentially strengthening its economic position and leverage in ongoing talks with Washington.

Iran has tightened security across the country ahead of the funeral and burial of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. The Iranian military has been placed on high alert to ensure safety during the ceremonies.

Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia stated that additional forces have been deployed to protect senior officials and religious and political figures arriving from various countries to attend the funeral. He added that Iran’s ground, naval, and air forces have increased their presence along border areas to maintain control over the security situation.

According to Akraminia, Iran’s air defense units are maintaining continuous surveillance over the country’s airspace. Khamenei was killed on February 28 in the joint attack, and Iran is now preparing for his funeral and burial four months after his death.