Iran buries slain leader, warns America of more fire

Iran laid its assassinated supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to rest on Thursday. The burial took place at the Shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad. This is one of the holiest sites for Shia Muslims. Thousands of people gathered under a scorching sun to attend the ceremony. Many wore black. Many carried red flags, which stand for revenge. Local officials expected as many as 15 million people to join the funeral across the day.

Khamenei was killed on February 28. Israeli and US airstrikes hit him on the first day of the Middle East war. His son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, was also hurt in the same attack. He has not appeared in public since then. Khamenei was buried along with several family members who died in the same strikes, including his granddaughter, his daughter and his son-in-law.

A fighter jet escorted the plane carrying his coffin to Mashhad. This happened because new fighting had broken out between Iran and the United States, even after a ceasefire deal was signed last month. The funeral events lasted six days in total. Processions passed through Tehran, the religious city of Qom, and the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala before reaching Mashhad.

Alongside the burial, Iran also held important talks with Pakistan. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke on the phone with Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. Araghchi strongly criticised the recent US military attacks. He said these attacks broke the 14-point understanding reached earlier between Iran and the United States. During the call, Araghchi also warned against any further US military action in the region. He said Iran and its armed forces remain firm in defending the country’s sovereignty, territory and national security.

Araghchi did not stop at Pakistan. He also spoke separately with his counterparts in Turkiye and Oman. All sides stressed the importance of diplomacy to calm the tension between Iran and the United States. Araghchi said the Turkish and Omani foreign ministers highlighted the need to work together to solve regional problems and prevent further escalation.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said its forces have taken control of the Strait of Hormuz. This is a narrow and highly important waterway for global oil trade. A statement carried by the Tasnim news agency said Iran has kept the strait secure over the past two weeks and has begun gradually reopening it. Ship traffic through the strait has reportedly returned to about 50 percent of pre-war levels. The Guard warned that foreign powers have no right to interfere in the area and said any interference would receive a strong response.

Independent data reviewed by BBC Verify showed 23 commercial and oil tankers crossed the strait on July 8. Before the war began in February, an average of 138 ships passed through daily. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said his country’s military remains alert and ready. Local media also reported that Israel’s defence minister told newly graduated pilots that Israel is prepared to strike Iran a third time if needed.