Iran has begun several days of public mourning for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes in February.
Officials told AFP that the funeral in Tehran could draw as many as 20 million mourners and expect the public turnout to be a “referendum” for the Islamic Republic.
The regime’s ruling clerics are preparing days of mass funeral rites for Khamenei. Funeral events will begin over the weekend in Tehran, followed by mass processions next week i Qom and Masshad and ceremonies in Iraq.
"The large public turnout at the funeral procession of the martyred leader and the other martyrs will, in effect, be another referendum for the Islamic Republic," Qom Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Mohammad Saidi declared to state media.
Iran has warned Donald Trump and Israel not to launch strikes during the state funeral.
Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the “enemies of Iran” should avoid a “miscalculation” or else face harsh retaliation.
Key Points
- Preparations underway in Iran for Ali Khamenei's funeral
- Powerful general in Iran emerges from hiding
- Oil up slightly ahead of long US weekend
- Trump: Iran has agreed to 'everything' we need
Video: Foreign leaders attend Khamenei funeral
07:30 , Vishwam Sankaran
Leaders from Pakistan, Turkey, and Russia arrived at Tehran to pay their respects to the slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Some in attendance were Russian security council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev, Turkish vice president Cevdet Yilmaz, Iraqi president Nizar Amidi, Iraqi parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistani senate chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani and army chief Asim Munir
Caskets of Khamenei and his family unveiled
07:00 , Vishwam Sankaran
The casket of slain Iranian leader Ali Khamenei and those of his family members killed in US airstrike in February were unveiled inside a glass case before weeping mourners in Tehran today.
Iranian state television broadcast showed the casket being unveiled as thousands of grieving people gathered at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex.
Videos broadcast by the state news channel show thousands dressed in black packing the streets, waving Iranian flags and other banners.
Several carried red banners, a symbol associated with calls for revenge, chanting “death to America” and “revenge, revenge”, AFP reported.
Tehran given 'week off' for Khamenei funeral, Trump says
06:30 , Vishwam Sankaran
In a speech at Mount Rushmore yesterday, president Donald Trump bragged that the US "knocked the hell out of Iran" and "gave them a week off" to mourn the slain late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
"They’re dying to settle; they want to settle so badly," he said at the speech marking the 250th anniversary celebrations of the US.
“We gave them a week off for a funeral because we’re nice,” Trump said.
In Pictures: Mourners gather to pay respects to slain leader
06:00 , Vishwam Sankaran
Iran hits back at Trump's remark about Tehran's need for US food
05:30 , Vishwam Sankaran
Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, hit back at US president Donald Trump's recent statement that Tehran needed imports from the US to ease its food situation.
“They need food. They need corn and wheat and soya beans, and we’re going to have exclusively our American farmers provide," Trump told CNBC on Thursday.
Ghalibaf dismissed the US president's assertions.
“Our assets, our choices. Mind your malnutrition rates,” the Iranian parliament speaker said.
“Imagine having 40-something million of your own citizens on food stamps and calling another nation hungry,” he said.
Over 42 million people in the US participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program last year, commonly called the food stamp programme, according to the US agriculture department
Houthis say they confronted Saudi 'warplanes' targeting plane headed to Iran
05:00 , Vishwam Sankaran
Yemen's Houthis said they confronted warplanes, alleging they attempted to prevent the landing of planes carrying dignitaries to Iran from the Sanaa International Airport, the group's military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said on Friday.
The Houthis warned that they would target "Saudi airports and vital interests on land and sea" if the Saudis continued what the group called violations of Yemeni airspace.
A Saudi-led coalition said the Houthis' statement was an attempt to "divert attention away" from the group's "violations" against the Yemeni people.
Thousands enter funeral venue before processions
04:30 , Vishwam Sankaran
Crowds of thousands of people entered the Imam Khomeini Mosalla prayer complex in Tehran to pay respects to the slain Supreme Leader ahead of the official start of the processions.
The courtyard of the prayer complex was filled with people, AFP reported.
With heavy traffic restrictions imposed across Tehran, mourners could be seen walking several miles to reach the venue on state television broadcasts.
Foreign leaders arrive to pay tribute to Khamenei
03:53 , Vishwam Sankaran
Iran received leaders from Pakistan, Turkey, and Russia who came to pay respects to slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as funeral processions for the former Ayatollah began in Tehran on Friday, according to Iranian state television.
Foreign leaders arrived at the prayer complex in Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosalla to offer condolences and pay respects before the body of Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran on 28 February, triggering weeks of elevated tensions across the Middle East.
Russian security council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev, Turkish vice president Cevdet Yilmaz, Iraqi president Nizar Amidi, Iraqi parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistani senate chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani and army chief Asim Munir are some leaders who could be spotted on state television broadcast.
What to know about the funeral and burial of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
02:45 , Maira Butt
Months after his death at the outset of Iran’s war with the United States and Israel, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the nation’s supreme leader, will be honoured with a multi-day funeral and burial ceremony.
The extensive mourning period will see his body transported through cities in both Iran and neighbouring Iraq, in a spectacle that is likely to be promoted heavily by Iran’s theocracy to encourage public, governmental and paramilitary participation.
Khamenei, who governed Iran for nearly four decades, was killed on 28 February when the US and Israel jointly initiated the conflict. The ensuing war necessitated a delay in his funeral arrangements.
Iran begins days-long funeral for Ayatollah Khamenei months after his death
Watch: Iran begins public mourning for Ayatollah Khamenei with funeral to draw 20 million
02:15 , Maira Butt
Powerful general in Iran emerges from hiding as Tehran prepares for Khamenei's dayslong funeral
01:45 , Maira Butt
A powerful general who leads Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard emerged from hiding as Tehran prepared Friday for the dayslong funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Photos published online by Iranian state media showed Gen. Ahmad Vahidi attending a meeting about the funeral of Khamenei, 86, then sitting alongside his casket as Iran's theocracy held a smaller service for him Thursday night near the supreme leader's former home in downtown Tehran.
Powerful general in Iran emerges from hiding as Tehran prepares for Khamenei's dayslong funeral
Where will Ayatollah Ali Khamenei buried?
01:30 , Maira Butt
Authorities have confirmed that slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be interred in Mashhad at the shrine to Imam Reza, the eighth imam of Shiite Islam. The shrine attracts millions of pilgrims annually. A hadith, or saying, promises relief from sorrow or sin to those who visit the shrine.
Many prominent Shiite clerics, as well as Iran’s late president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in 2024, are buried there.
In pictures: Foreign delegations arrive in Tehran for funeral
01:00 , Maira Butt
When will the funeral begin?
Saturday 4 July 2026 00:30 , Maira Butt
The funeral is scheduled to commence on Saturday in Tehran, Iran’s capital. Khamenei’s body will be displayed at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla over the weekend. On Monday, it will be paraded through the streets of Tehran before being moved to the Shiite seminary city of Qom, approximately 120km (75 miles) to the south, where further tributes will be paid on Tuesday.
Wednesday will see Khamenei’s body transported to Karbala, Iraq, home to the revered shrine of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and a longstanding symbol of resistance for the Shiite faithful.
This day also coincides with the anniversary of the protests against Khamenei’s rule, which resulted in thousands of deaths at the hands of security forces. The procession will culminate in Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city.
Who was Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
Friday 3 July 2026 23:59 , Maira Butt
Slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ruled over Iran for over four decades and became a beloved figure to many in the Middle East while a controversial figure for many in the west as well as many within his own country.
Read his obituary by The Independent below.
Oman agrees to work with Britain and France on Strait of Hormuz
Friday 3 July 2026 23:38 , Maira Butt
Oman has agreed to work with Britain and France to make sure the Strait of Hormuz remains open, a statement released by the countries’ leaders said on Friday.
The joint statement from Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron said: “The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for the global economy. Restoring safe transit for ships of all nations through the strait is a matter of global concern.
“The sultanate of Oman has agreed to work with the United Kingdom and France to ensure that its sovereign territorial waters are safe for navigation.
“The UK and France also stand ready to deploy the wider multinational military mission to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The United Kingdom and France reaffirm their shared commitment to regional stability, respect for the sovereignty of all states and their willingness to maintain close co-operation with their partners in order to uphold global security, freedom of navigation and international law.”
Khamenei's funeral: Here's what to expect in the coming days
Friday 3 July 2026 23:00 , Maira Butt
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral is expected to last several days. The 86-year-old supreme leader was killed in US-Israeli strikes on his home on 28 February. The funeral will also be for several members of his family.
- 3 July - Foreign delegations met with Iranian officials, including foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, president Masoud Pezeshkian and parliamentary speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf. Representatives from several countries including Russia, India, Pakistan and Armenia were in attendance as Khamenei’s casket lay in state.
- 4 July – Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla will open for a continuous 24-hour public farewell ceremony.
- 5 July – The second day is dedicated to funeral prayers for the supreme leader and members of his family.
- 6 July – The main funeral procession in Tehran will take place on Monday and is expected to begin at 6 am local time. It will follow a 10km route from Imam Hossein Square to Azadi Square.
- 7 July - Further prayers will be held at the Jamkaran Mosque in Qom.
- 8 July – The late supreme leader’s body will be transported to the city of Najaf in Iraq. Iraq’s prime minister will be present at the Imam Ali Shrine, an important pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims after which the body will travel by helicopter to the shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, before returning to Iran.
- 9 July – Khamenei will be buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, the town where he was born. It is considered one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam.
In pictures: Iranian officials including IRGC and Basij paramilitary pay respects to slain supreme leader
Friday 3 July 2026 22:30 , Maira Butt
Concerns over fears of chaos at funeral of slain supreme leader
Friday 3 July 2026 22:15 , Maira Butt
The funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on 6 June 1989 saw millions of Iranians flood the streets, which led to chaos. Mourners surged towards the casket, causing the 86-year-old leader’s body to fall into the crowd. Initial reports indicated that there were at least eight fatalities and approximately 11,000 injuries.
Concerns persist that similar scenes could occur at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral, particularly if the crowd size reaches millions. The burial of the late Revolutionary Guard general Qassem Soleimani in 2020 also resulted in a stampede, in which at least 56 people were killed and more than 2,000 were injured.
In pictures: Iranian officials mourn slain supreme leader
Friday 3 July 2026 22:06 , Maira Butt
Two Romanian men jailed for stabbing Iranian journalist in London
Friday 3 July 2026 21:50 , Maira Butt
Two Romanian men whom British prosecutors said were acting as proxies for the Iranian government were on Friday jailed for stabbing a journalist working for a Persian-language media organisation in London.
Pouria Zaratifoukolaei, known as Pouria Zeraati, a British journalist of Iranian origin who works for Iran International, was stabbed three times in the leg near his home in southwest London in March 2024.
Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, both pleaded not guilty to charges of wounding with intent, but were convicted at London's Woolwich Crown Court in June. Badea was sentenced to 8 years in jail and Stana was sentenced to 12 years.
Exclusive: Fears grow for British couple after almost two months on hunger strike in Iran jail
Friday 3 July 2026 21:00 , Maira Butt
Fears are growing for a British couple detained in Iran who have not eaten in nearly two months after their contact with family was cut off.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, 53, have been on hunger strike for 55 and 46 days respectively in protest at their treatment inside Iran’s notorious Evin prison.
The couple were arrested on a once in a lifetime world motorbike tour 18 months ago and later sentenced to 10 years in prison on espionage charges, which they completely deny.
UN human rights experts have demanded their urgent release and warned their incarceration raises grave concerns about state hostage taking, adding that their hunger strike has reached the stage of a “medical emergency”.
Fears grow for British couple after almost two months on hunger strike in Iran jail
Who attended day one of mourning for Khamenei?
Friday 3 July 2026 20:00 , Maira Butt
Official days of mourning have begun for slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who is to be laid to rest in a state funeral on Saturday.
Representatives from several countries attended an event in Tehran on Friday as his body arrived in the capital.
The six-day event is expected to draw millions.
Russia, Iran’s strategic partner, was represented by Dmitry Medvedev, who attended as Vladimir Putin’s special envoy.
China’s He Wei represented Beijing, while representatives from Pakistan, Armenia, Georgia and other countries were also in attendance.
Despite early reports that they would not be represented, a delegation from Saudi Arabia also paid their respects on Friday.
Netanyahu and Trump held phone call on Friday, Israeli leader's office says
Friday 3 July 2026 19:00 , Maira Butt
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday and the two leaders agreed to meet soon in the United States, Netanyahu's office said.
The statement did not specify when the meeting would take place.
Breaking: Yemen's Houthis threaten Saudi targets over Iran flight to Sanaa
Friday 3 July 2026 18:03 , Maira Butt
Yemen's Houthis said on Friday they confronted Saudi "warplanes" that they said attempted to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sanaa International Airport, according to a statement by the group's military spokesperson Yahya Sarea.
The Iran-aligned group warned that they would target "Saudi airports and vital interests on land and sea" if the Saudis continue their violations to the Yemeni airspace," he added.
Flights between Sanaa and Tehran will continue despite the any "possible consequences," he added.
Watch: Body of late Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei arrives in Tehran as thousands gather to pay tribute
Friday 3 July 2026 17:35 , Maira Butt
What is happening with the Strait of Hormuz?
Friday 3 July 2026 17:00 , James Reynolds
Ships are slowly beginning to move through the Strait of Hormuz as part of the preliminary agreement between Iran and the US to end the war.
But Iran is still insisting upon its right to control the vital waterway, which before the conflict saw around a fifth of global oil and LNG shipments pass through unhindered and for free.
Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which coordinates Iran's armed forces operations, said only on Thursday that any US interference in the strait would trigger a “decisive and rapid” response.
A statement also said that the continued presence of US air assets endangered regional security.
Since the memorandum of understanding to end the war came into effect last month, Iran has urged the US to pull back from the region and yield control of the strait. The US has ended its blockade of Iranian ports, and says Iran will not impose tolls.
Pardoned Iranian nuclear negotiator sues FIFA over team’s World Cup loss against Egypt
Friday 3 July 2026 16:15 , James Reynolds
An Iranian political scientist once accused by the feds of working as an unregistered agent for Tehran has filed a $1 billion lawsuit against FIFA, association president Gianni Infantino, and an unknown number of anonymous FIFA officials after the nation’s World Cup team was eliminated from competition by a controversial on-field call.
Lotfolah Kaveh Afrasiabi, who, among other things, served as an official adviser to Iran’s nuclear negotiation team when talks were underway with former president Barack Obama, is petitioning for class-action status on behalf of up to 91 million “Iranian nationals and/or Iranian-Americans who supported the Iran football national team and who were emotionally scarred by the flagrant discrimination against their beloved team,” according to a civil complaint filed June 30 in Boston federal court.
Read the full story:
Pardoned Iranian ‘influence agent’ sues FIFA over team’s World Cup loss
What happened in Doha?
Friday 3 July 2026 15:30 , James Reynolds
Iran and the United States concluded a round of indirect talks on Wednesday with no sign they had made headway toward a lasting peace, focusing instead on issues that they said had been resolved when an interim agreement was announced two weeks ago.
The Doha discussions produced "positive progress" on issues related to the memorandum that halted the war in June and were "building on the outcomes" of a summit in Switzerland, the ministry spokesperson said in a post on X.
In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump said the two sides were making progress on possible limits to Iran's nuclear program — the main reason he launched the war along with Israel in February. "The denuclearization of Iran is moving along well," he told reporters. "They've had very good meetings, and we'll see."
But the sources said the nuclear program did not come up in the talks, which were technical in nature.
The leader of Iran's delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, said the talks concluded. Neither side said whether they had managed to bridge any of their differences.
Iran exploring oil sales to Japan, sources say
Friday 3 July 2026 15:15 , Reuters
Iran has begun talks to sell oil to Japanese companies, though prospective buyers are seeking a longer U.S. sanctions waiver and reassurances on safe shipping conditions in the Gulf, three Iranian and Western sources said.
The United States authorised Iranian oil sales in June, easing decades-old sanctions as it pushes for a final peace deal with Tehran in exchange for commitments on nuclear inspections and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
China has been the main buyer of Iranian oil in recent years after customers in South Korea, Japan, India and Europe halted purchases as sanctions tightened following U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal from Iran's nuclear pact in 2018.
The U.S. Treasury Department's current sanctions waiver allows the sale of crude oil and petrochemical and petroleum products of Iranian origin through August 21.
Iran tolls in focus at Doha talks - report
Friday 3 July 2026 14:45 , James Reynolds
US and Iranian negotiators were in Doha this week for talks on the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to US outlet Axios, the US delegation is still trying to convince Iran against imposing tolls in the channel, while the Iranians are telling the US to back off.
A US official told the outlet that both sides agreed on Sunday to de-escalate the situation in the strait for a week, meaning new clashes could erupt after the 4th of July celebrations.
“The President has been clear that every time they shoot, we will shoot more — and at targets that further degrade their position in the Strait,” the official told Axios.
Nato leaders expected to call on Iran to respect freedom of navigation next week
Friday 3 July 2026 14:24 , James Reynolds
Nato leaders are expected to call on Iran to fully respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz during a summit in Ankara next week.
A summit text seen by Reuters suggests leaders will also declare that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon, according to the agency.
What is happening with the Strait of Hormuz?
Friday 3 July 2026 14:00 , James Reynolds
Ships are slowly beginning to move through the Strait of Hormuz as part of the preliminary agreement between Iran and the US to end the war.
But Iran is still insisting upon its right to control the vital waterway, which before the conflict saw around a fifth of global oil and LNG shipments pass through unhindered and for free.
Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which coordinates Iran's armed forces operations, said only on Thursday that any US interference in the strait would trigger a “decisive and rapid” response.
A statement also said that the continued presence of US air assets endangered regional security.
Since the memorandum of understanding to end the war came into effect last month, Iran has urged the US to pull back from the region and yield control of the strait. The US has ended its blockade of Iranian ports, and says Iran will not impose tolls.
Iran war has created growing rift between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince: report
Friday 3 July 2026 13:15 , James Reynolds
A widening rift has opened up between Saudi Arabia and the United States because of the war in Iran, a report claims.
Officials told the Wall Street Journal the partnership between Washington and Riyadh is souring over disputes on how President Donald Trump has handled the war, which began after joint US-Israel strikes on Iran in February.
The US is reportedly now considering reducing its military presence in Saudi Arabia and instead putting its forces in countries it feels were more supportive during the war, including Israel and Jordan, according to the WSJ.
Read the full story:
Iran war has created growing rift between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince: report
Israel claims attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon
Friday 3 July 2026 13:02 , James Reynolds
The Israeli military says in a post on X that it struck what it called Hezbollah sites in Lebanon.
“In response to Hezbollah’s repeated ceasefire violations: ~ 10 Hezbollah infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon, which were used to advance attacks against IDF soldiers, were struck.
“Additionally, IDF soldiers identified and struck a Hezbollah terrorist cell transporting weapons in a truck near the Security Zone.”
Israel and Hezbollah continue to clash in southern Lebanon despite an existing ceasefire agreement.
In pictures: Pakistan's PM attends Khamenei farewell ceremony in Tehran
Friday 3 July 2026 12:52 , James Reynolds
Watch: Trump says the U.S. and Iran getting along very well
Friday 3 July 2026 12:30 , James Reynolds
Powerful general in Iran emerges from hiding as Tehran prepares for Khamenei's dayslong funeral
Friday 3 July 2026 11:45 , James Reynolds
A powerful general who leads Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard emerged from hiding as Tehran prepared Friday for the dayslong funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Photos published online by Iranian state media showed Gen. Ahmad Vahidi attending a meeting about the funeral of Khamenei, 86, then sitting alongside his casket as Iran's theocracy held a smaller service for him Thursday night near the supreme leader's former home in downtown Tehran.
Vahidi has become a major player in formulating Iran’s tough stance in negotiating a possible permanent end to the war with the United States, experts say. He is believed to be part of a small clique in direct contact with Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who remains in hiding after being reportedly wounded in the Feb. 28 Israeli strikes that killed his father, the elder Khamenei.
Read the full story:
Powerful general in Iran emerges from hiding as Tehran prepares for Khamenei's dayslong funeral
Iran war impact ‘not as big as feared’ in economic boost for Burnham
Friday 3 July 2026 11:00 , James Reynolds
The war in Iran has done less damage to the UK’s public finances than was first feared, Andy Burnham will reportedly be told in what will be a boost to the incoming prime minister - but he is still facing a major black hole in the public finances as a result of unfunded defence pledges.
Mr Burnham is expected to be briefed by the Treasury in within days about the economic situation facing the UK, with sources telling the Financial Times that the conflict in the Middle East - which sent oil and gas prices spiralling and triggered an increase in inflation - has only dealt a modest blow to the £23.6bn “headroom” built by the chancellor at the last budget.
The news will come as a boost to Mr Burnham, who is widely expected to take over from Sir Keir Starmer in the coming weeks, and makes it less likely that he would be forced to put up taxes in the Autumn budget.
Read the full story:
Iran war impact ‘not as big as feared’ - but Burnham still faces defence black hole
Watch: Iran begins public mourning for Ayatollah Khamenei with funeral to draw 20 million
Friday 3 July 2026 10:45 , James Reynolds
Watch: Body of late Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei arrives in Tehran as thousands gather to pay tribute
Friday 3 July 2026 10:15 , James Reynolds
What does Khamenei's funeral mean for Iran?
Friday 3 July 2026 09:30 , James Reynolds
Iran's ruling clerics are preparing days of mass funeral rites for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a show of public devotion to the Islamic Republic and proof that its revolutionary fervour still burns strong.
“The large public turnout at the funeral procession of the martyred leader and the other martyrs will, in effect, be another referendum for the Islamic Republic,” Qom Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Mohammad Saidi declared to state media.
To make their point, authorities hope to mobilise millions of supporters to flood Iran's cities, laying on transport, accommodation and food, to proclaim the might of their theocratic state after it survived what they saw as an existential war.
But behind the veneer of unity and devotion, public support for the Islamic Republic has worn paper thin, analysts say.
Across the country, many Iranians are tired of decades of sanctions throttling their economy and angry at the repression meted out in the name of a 1979 revolution that only older people in a mostly young population can remember.
When people poured onto the streets in December and January in demonstrations triggered by inflation, many were chanting for the death of Khamenei and authorities could only crush the unrest by shooting thousands of protesters.
After news of Khamenei's killing began to circulate in the first days of the war, Tehran residents reported sounds of cheering erupting from behind the windows of houses and apartments in parts of the city.
Ayatollah's son not expected to attend funeral
Friday 3 July 2026 08:45 , James Reynolds
Mojtaba Khamenei is not expected to attend his father’s funeral in Tehran on Saturday due to security risks, according to reports.
Millions of people are set to attend the delayed six-day funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which begins this weekend in the capital of Iran.
But his son will probably avoid the weekend ceremony due to threats from Israel and uncertain ‘surveillance risks’, according to Ayatollah Kakim Elahi, the current leader’s representative in India.
Elahi told India today that the younger Khamenei “wants to come out” and meet people, but security will not allow it.
"They said 'it is very dangerous and we cannot provide security for him'. I think he will not come out," he added.
Mojtaba Khamenei is understood to have been severely injured in the strike on a government residence in Tehran that killed his father, wife and 14-month-old daughter on 28 February.
International delegates participate in a farewell ceremony for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Friday 3 July 2026 08:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran speaker ties Khamenei's revenge to ending US and Israeli 'oppression'
Friday 3 July 2026 08:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has claimed that avenging former supreme leader Ali Khamenei meant freeing Muslims from oppression at the hands of the US and Israel.
"Without a doubt, avenging the martyred leader of the revolution means nothing other than freeing all Muslims from the oppression of the United States and the Zionist regime," Ghalibaf said during a meeting with senior Amal Movement official Khalil Hamdan.
Ghalibaf also said the "great lesson" from Khamenei's leadership is the need for Muslims and Shi'ites to remain united.
Iran war has created growing rift between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince: report
Friday 3 July 2026 07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A widening rift has opened up between Saudi Arabia and the United States because of the war in Iran, a report claims.
Officials told the Wall Street Journal the partnership between Washington and Riyadh is souring over disputes on how President Donald Trump has handled the war, which began after joint US-Israel strikes on Iran in February.
The US is reportedly now considering reducing its military presence in Saudi Arabia and instead putting its forces in countries it feels were more supportive during the war, including Israel and Jordan, according to the WSJ.
More here.
Iran war has created growing rift between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince: report
Iran's Revolutionary Guard deploys special forces to track ships
Friday 3 July 2026 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has reportedly deployed special forces along Iran's Persian Gulf coastline to identify vessels transiting the Oman-side route through the Strait of Hormuz before they enter the waterway.
According to the sources, the Guard operatives are also attempting to obtain, through Omani sources, the schedules and transit coordination details of ships using the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran International reported.
The sources said the Guard special forces are equipped with land-based, naval and aerial intelligence-gathering systems and have recently been assigned to identify in advance any vessel planning to use the southern route and issue warnings about its passage.
Friday 3 July 2026 06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran warns oil tankers to use approved routes in Strait of Hormuz
Friday 3 July 2026 06:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran’s joint military command has warned that all oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz must use its approved routes or face a “forceful response.”
The statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya military command was aired on Iranian state television.
It wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the threat from Iran.
“Any failure to comply, deviation from the designated route, or disregard for the navigation protocols of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with an immediate and forceful response from the armed forces, endangering the security of the violating vessels,” the statement said.
It also said the continued presence of US fighter jets over the strait “causes insecurity in this waterway and threatens regional security.”
Preparations underway in Iran for Ali Khamenei's funeral
Friday 3 July 2026 05:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Powerful general in Iran emerges from hiding
Friday 3 July 2026 05:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A powerful general who leads Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard emerged from hiding as Tehran prepared Friday for the dayslong funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Photos published online by Iranian state media showed Gen Ahmad Vahidi attending a meeting about the funeral of Khamenei, 86, then sitting alongside his casket as Iran's theocracy held a smaller service for him Thursday night near the supreme leader's former home in downtown Tehran.
Vahidi has become a major player in formulating Iran's tough stance in negotiating a possible permanent end to the war with the United States, experts say.
He is believed to be part of a small clique in direct contact with Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who remains in hiding after being reportedly wounded in the Feb. 28 Israeli strikes that killed his father, the elder Khamenei.
Vahidi himself hasn't been seen publicly since Feb. 8, weeks before the Iran war began.
Video published by Iranian state media showed the mourning ceremony for Khamenei near the husseiniyah at his compound in Tehran.
Oil up slightly ahead of long US weekend
Friday 3 July 2026 04:23 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Oil prices rose slightly today before a long holiday weekend in the U.S. as wary optimism held over efforts to make peace in the Middle East between the US and Iran.
Brent futures were up 17 cents, or 0.24 per cent, to $72.10 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate was up 14 cents, or 0.20 per cent, to $68.83 a barrel.
US markets will close on Friday ahead of the US Independence Day holiday on Saturday.
Iran war has created growing rift between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince: report
Friday 3 July 2026 01:30 , Maira Butt
A widening rift has opened up between Saudi Arabia and the United States because of the war in Iran, a report claims.
Officials told the Wall Street Journal the partnership between Washington and Riyadh is souring over disputes on how President Donald Trump has handled the war, which began after joint US-Israel strikes on Iran in February.
The US is reportedly now considering reducing its military presence in Saudi Arabia and instead putting its forces in countries it feels were more supportive during the war, including Israel and Jordan, according to the WSJ.
The White House, meanwhile, has insisted relations between the US and Saudi are still strong.
Iran war has created growing rift between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince: report
Polymarket reports some European leaders say Hormuz toll as 'inevitable'
Friday 3 July 2026 00:30 , Maira Butt
Polymarket, a prediction market, has reported that some European leaders are saying that a toll in the Strait of Hormuz is now seen as “inevitable”.
It was not immediately clear which leaders believe this or what the reports were based on, in the short post shared on their social media page on X.
It speculated that there is now a 44 per cent chance that Iran will implement such a toll by the end of August.
President Donald Trump has insisted that he will now agree to the imposition of a toll over the vital shipping route. But reports have suggested that Iran and Oman may seek to implement a charge for commercial ships.
Polymarket reports some European leaders say Hormuz toll as 'inevitable'
Friday 3 July 2026 00:30 , Maira Butt
Polymarket, a prediction market, has reported that some European leaders are saying that a toll in the Strait of Hormuz is now seen as “inevitable”.
It was not immediately clear which leaders believe this or what the reports were based on, in the short post shared on their social media page on X.
President Donald Trump has insisted that he will now agree to the imposition of a toll over the vital shipping route. But reports have suggested that Iran and Oman may seek to implement a charge for commercial ships.
Watch: Vance says US 'in great position' with Iran war as Tehran says peace talks on hold
Thursday 2 July 2026 23:30 , Maira Butt
Trump: Iran has agreed to 'everything' we need
Thursday 2 July 2026 22:52 , Maira Butt
President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has agreed to “just about everything we need”, according to Reuters.
Discussions and negotiations are ongoing in an effort to secure a permanent ceasefire between the countries.
UK politician says Reza Pahlavi should 'not be given platform' to rule in Iran
Thursday 2 July 2026 22:30 , Maira Butt
British member of Parliament Bob Blackman has hit out at Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the last shah of Iran and Crown Prince of the Pahlavi dynasty.
Pahlavi was positioned as a replacement to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but appears to have been unable to mobilise enough support or resources to return to Iran amid the ongoing war.
In a post on X on Thursday, Blackman wrote: “Reza Pahlavi should not be given a platform to justify replacing one form of authoritarian rule with another.
“A return to the monarchy in Iran is not welcome, especially as he has failed to condemn the previous Shah’s dictatorship and for claiming support from the IRGC.”
He said he would be putting his support behind Iranian dissident politician Maryam Rajavi instead.
Exclusive: Pardoned Iranian nuclear negotiator sues FIFA over team’s World Cup loss against Egypt
Thursday 2 July 2026 21:30 , Maira Butt
An Iranian political scientist once accused by the feds of working as an unregistered agent for Tehran has filed a $1 billion lawsuit against FIFA, association president Gianni Infantino, and an unknown number of anonymous FIFA officials after the nation’s World Cup team was eliminated from competition by a controversial on-field call.
Lotfolah Kaveh Afrasiabi, who, among other things, served as an official adviser to Iran’s nuclear negotiation team when talks were underway with former president Barack Obama, is petitioning for class-action status on behalf of up to 91 million “Iranian nationals and/or Iranian-Americans who supported the Iran football national team and who were emotionally scarred by the flagrant discrimination against their beloved team,” according to a civil complaint filed June 30 in Boston federal court.
Pardoned Iranian ‘influence agent’ sues FIFA over team’s World Cup loss
Pardoned Iranian nuclear negotiator sues FIFA over team’s World Cup loss against Egypt
Thursday 2 July 2026 20:30 , Maira Butt
Two weeks into the 60-day peace negotiation period between Iran and the United States and - despite President Donald Trump’s claims of success - little progress has been made.
Instead, both sides appear to be regressing: hostilities have flared and officials from both sides are no longer directly talking to each other as the clock keeps ticking and key issues, such as Iran’s nuclear programme, remain unresolved.
Over the weekend both Washington and Tehran traded strikes, threatening the already fragile ceasefire in the region, despite Trump’s initial optimism after signing the memorandum of understanding which ended the four-month war.
Jessie Williams reports:
Iran peace process descends into farce as ‘talks about talks’ end in stalemate
In pictures: Iran prepares for funeral of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Thursday 2 July 2026 19:30 , Maira Butt
Iran hits out at 'performative posturing' by US
Thursday 2 July 2026 18:30 , Maira Butt
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has called out “performative posturing” by the US and accused it of “complete contempt” for peace.
“The United States has constantly demonstrated its complete contempt for genuine peace and security in West Asia,” he wrote in a post on X on Thursday. He was responding to a post by US Central Command on the country leading regional security dialogue with 12 nations in Bahrain.
“Such gatherings are nothing more than performative posturing, aimed at concealing America’s destabilising policies and lawless behaviour in the region.
“The countries of the region must remain vigilant and draw clear lessons from the most recent US and Israeli military aggressions and malign acts that breached regional peace and security.”
Europe has filled gaps left by US reductions, says top Nato commander
Thursday 2 July 2026 17:30 , Maira Butt
Europe has filled the gaps left by US reductions to the Nato force model, a top Nato military commander told Reuters on Thursday.
President Donald Trump opted to reduce US contributions to the alliance after tensions over his aspirations to acquire Greenland and then complaints over what he perceived as a lack of Nato support in his war with Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz was largely closed for months upending global oil supply routes, with Nato largely taking a backseat in the conflict.
He said that Nato is looking at alternate capabilities with matching effect in areas where European allies do not currently have the capability to replace.
Iran prepares to bury slain supreme leader with week of mass mourning
Thursday 2 July 2026 16:30 , Maira Butt
Iran's ruling clerics are preparing days of mass funeral rites for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a show of public devotion to the Islamic Republic and proof that its revolutionary fervor still burns strong.
Iran's supreme leader was killed by US and Israeli strikes in their first attack of the war and the funeral events will begin over the weekend in Tehran, with mass processions planned next week in Qom and Mashhad and ceremonies in Iraq.
“The large public turnout at the funeral procession of the martyred leader and the other martyrs will, in effect, be another referendum for the Islamic Republic,” Qom Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Mohammad Saidi declared to state media.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of slain supreme leader, not to attend funeral of father
Thursday 2 July 2026 16:00 , Maira Butt
Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, and son of slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will not attend the funeral of his father this weekend, amid security concerns, his representative in India said on Thursday.
He has not been seen in public since reports that he was seriously injured in the deadly US-Israeli attack that killed his father.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz had recently boasted that the leader was “marked for death”. Iran’s foreign minister replied that the execution of such threats would be met with a “powerful response”.
A funeral for Mojtaba Khamenei‘s wife Zahra Hadid was held on Thursday.
Oil prices fall to pre-war levels as Strait of Hormuz shipping slowly recovers
Thursday 2 July 2026 15:30 , Daniel Keane
Oil prices fell to levels last seen before the US-Iran war as the gradual resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continued to drain the risk premium that had pushed crude to its highs during the conflict.
West Texas Intermediate, the US crude benchmark, fell to around $68.00 a barrel on Thursday morning, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped to $71.16.
The declines extended steep losses from the previous session, when Brent closed down 1.9 per cent at $71.57 and WTI settled 1.3 per cent lower at $68.58.
Read our full story below.
Oil prices fall to pre-war levels as Strait of Hormuz shipping slowly recovers
Pictured: Iran prepares for Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral
Thursday 2 July 2026 14:30 , Daniel Keane
Iran warns against US interference in Strait of Hormuz
Thursday 2 July 2026 13:30 , Daniel Keane
Iran said that any US interference in the Strait of Hormuz would trigger a "decisive and rapid" response.
State media said that the continued presence of US air assets across the waterway endangered regional security, state media reported.
Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which coordinates Iran's armed forces operations, said all tanker and commercial vessels must follow routes designated by Tehran for safe passage through the strait, adding that deviations or failure to comply with navigation protocols would face an immediate response.
India to send minister and governor to Ali Khamenei funeral
Thursday 2 July 2026 12:30 , Daniel Keane
India said that its deputy foreign minister and a state governor would represent the country at the state funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Governor of Bihar, Syed Ata Hasnain, and deputy foreign minister Pabitra Margherita will visit Iran on July 3, the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The high-level representation in the ceremony underscores the importance of civilizational ties, including people-to-people connection, between the two countries, providing a robust foundation to political and economic engagements," it said.
Tehran warns Trump and Israel not to attack during Khamenei’s funeral
Thursday 2 July 2026 11:33 , Daniel Keane
Iran has warned Donald Trump and Israel not to launch strikes as the country prepares for the state funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in airstrikes on the first day of the war.
Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the “enemies of Iran” should avoid a “miscalculation” or else face harsh retaliation.
Funeral processions for Khamenei will begin on July 4 in Tehran and conclude on July 9 with his burial in his hometown of Mashhad, with additional ceremonies planned in Qom and Iraq in-between these dates.
Iran to allow Afghan nationals to enter for Khamenei's funeral
Thursday 2 July 2026 10:00 , Shweta Sharma
Iran said it will open the border with Afghanistan to allow Afghan nationals to enter through the Dogharoun border crossing 24 hours before the funeral ceremony for late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the governor of Taybad said on Thursday.
Special arrangements are being made to transfer Afghan nationals from the border to Mashhad to attend the ceremony.
He said they would then be taken back to the Dogharoun crossing after the funeral, after receiving their passports.
The governor said no Afghan nationals had entered Iran through the crossing so far, adding that visas had been issued to 2,500 people.
Trump says the US and Iran getting along very well
Thursday 2 July 2026 09:30 , Shweta Sharma
Oil prices fall to pre-war levels as Strait of Hormuz shipping slowly recovers
Thursday 2 July 2026 09:00 , Shweta Sharma
Oil prices fell to levels last seen before the US-Iran war as the gradual resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continued to drain the risk premium that had pushed crude to its highs during the conflict.
West Texas Intermediate, the US crude benchmark, fell to around $68.00 a barrel on Thursday morning, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped to $71.16.
The declines extended steep losses from the previous session, when Brent closed down 1.9 per cent at $71.57 and WTI settled 1.3 per cent lower at $68.58.
Oil prices fall to pre-war levels as Strait of Hormuz shipping slowly recovers
Iranian parliament speaker urges mass turnout at ayatollah's funeral
Thursday 2 July 2026 08:30 , Shweta Sharma
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Thursday urged the public to attend the funeral of slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei, saying the ceremony should show what he called the nation's demand for blood vengeance to the world.
Ghalibaf said people should show that they would not remain silent in the face of arrogance and would not forget “the blood of their imam.”
He described the funeral as a reaffirmation of allegiance to Khamenei’s path and the values of the Islamic Republic.
US considering pulling back on military footprint in Saudi Arabia: report
Thursday 2 July 2026 07:59 , Josh Marcus
The U.S.-Iran war has scrambled relations across the Gulf, and it is reportedly driving a major wedge between America and Saudi Arabia, which angered the Trump administration earlier this year when it temporarily blocked U.S. forces from using its airspace to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Now, The Wall Street Journal reports, the U.S. is considering reducing its military footprint in the kingdom, a change which would represent a major break with decades of security arrangements.
Iran vow to deliver 'powerful response' to threats against people or leadership
Thursday 2 July 2026 07:45 , Shweta Sharma
Iran will deliver an immediate and powerful response to any threat against its people or leadership, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said in an X post on Wednesday.
"POTUS has committed the US to muzzling its pets in Tel Aviv. If they ignore their master, Iran will school them," Araqchi said.
The US and Iran held technical talks in Doha on Wednesday as they seek to agree on the flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and secure a lasting ceasefire, a source with direct knowledge of the talks and an Iranian official said.
Gaza marks 1,000 days of war
Thursday 2 July 2026 07:21 , Shweta Sharma
Palestinians face an uncertain future as Gaza marked the 1,000th day of war since Israel launched an offensive in Gaza following a Hamas-led attack.
Other conflicts have emerged in the region, and fragile ceasefires show scars of persistent attacks.
Both Israelis and Palestinians are weary of the strain.
The fate of over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, largely displaced and living amid ruins, remains uncertain.
Israeli forces controlled over half of the territory under the ceasefire that took effect on October 10, but Israel's government has expanded that and says it aims to hold 70%.
“Much more needs to be done so that even a semblance of normality can come back, and we are far, far away from this," the International Committee of the Red Cross regional director, Nicolas von Arx, said this week.
Israeli strikes have lessened considerably since the ceasefire took effect, but they continue almost daily.
Gaza's health ministry counted 1,053 Palestinians dead since the ceasefire as of Tuesday, including over 350 women and children.
The United Nations on Wednesday warned that the Israeli expansion in Gaza increases deadly risks for civilians in "areas lacking clear demarcation on the ground."
The health ministry said over 3,400 people have been wounded since the ceasefire.
The ministry is part of the Hamas-led government and maintains detailed casualty records seen as generally reliable by UN agencies and independent experts.
Iran war cut into construction spending in US: data
Thursday 2 July 2026 07:00 , Josh Marcus
Construction spending in May was down 4 percent year-over-year, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data, a change homebuilders are blaming on the macroeconomic impacts of the Iran war.
EJ Johnson, president of the Lance Johnson Building Company in Arkansas, had been expecting a strong selling season before the conflict kicked off in late February.
“Then we decided to go to war,” Johnson told Marketplace. “We're still moving houses, but we're not moving them at the rate that we should be today.”
Mediators note 'positive progress' in US-Iran talks in Doha
Thursday 2 July 2026 06:38 , Shweta Sharma
Qatar and Pakistani mediators concluded separate meetings with the US and Iranian negotiators in Doha on Tuesday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.
It said “positive progress” had been made on the issues related to the MoU.
“Parties have agreed to continue discussions over the coming period with the next meeting set at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader,” it said.
