Millions of mourners are expected to gather over the next week for funeral ceremonies and processions for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on Feb. 28 by an airstrike on the first day of the Iran war. The war has now lasted 125 days.
Funeral Details and Schedule
Khamenei's body, along with those of several family members, will lie in state this weekend for public funeral ceremonies in Tehran at the Grand Mosalla. Religious rites are planned in cities across Iran and Iraq. A multi-city state funeral will be held over six days before his body is laid to rest on July 9 in his hometown of Mashhad, Iran.
The late supreme leader's coffin and those of his family members are currently displayed at Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque. The funeral was originally scheduled for March but was postponed as the Iran war continued.
Iranian Military Vows Revenge
Major-General Amir Hatami, the commander-in-chief of Iran's armed forces, has vowed revenge against the United States and Israel for killing Khamenei. "With a firmer resolve we declare to the enemies of the Iranian nation – America and the criminal Zionist regime – that we will avenge the blood of the martyred leader [Khamenei]," Hatami said on the sidelines of Khamenei's funeral in Tehran, according to Al Jazeera.
Peace Talks Paused
Ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Iran on ending the war are paused until the mourning period for Khamenei ends.
Trump Claims Iran's Military and Economy Severely Weakened
U.S. President Donald Trump rejected suggestions that Iran had emerged stronger despite the conflict, claiming both the country's economy and military had suffered major setbacks. "They have 300% inflation, they're making no money," he said in an interview with CNBC. "The New York Times said the other day that Iran is in a better position now than it was four months ago. I said, wait a minute, their military is gone. Their inflation is up to 300% from 5%. Their leaders are gone. Their second row of leaders is gone. Some of their third row of leaders are gone. Their generals are mostly wiped out." Trump said he hoped the U.S. will eventually supply agricultural products to Iran, including corn, wheat, and soybeans, exclusively from American farmers.
Strait of Hormuz Dispute
Iran's deputy speaker of parliament, Hamidreza Haji-Babai, said the U.S. should respect Tehran's authority over the Strait of Hormuz. "The Strait of Hormuz is a symbol of the Islamic Republic of Iran's authority, and the United States must respect the power of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in this strategic waterway," Haji-Babai told the state-owned IRNA news agency, per CBS News. The U.S. has repeatedly said Iran will not be allowed to charge tolls for use of the waterway. Oman has said it does not support tolls and began negotiations Monday with Iran about how to handle the administration of the strait going forward.
