Iran Prepares State Funeral for Ali Khamenei Amidst Tough Negotiations with the US

Iran is preparing to hold the largest state funeral in the country’s history for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The planned six-day funeral procession will commence on 4 July in Tehran and conclude with burial in his birthplace, Mashhad, on 9 July 2026. The series of ceremonies will traverse several important cities, including Qom in Iran as well as Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, two of the holiest cities in Shia Islam. Authorities estimate that between 15 and 20 million mourners from around the world will attend. The government has declared a state of high alert, with more than 30 countries, including Russia, China, India, and Pakistan, confirming they will send high-level representatives. Amidst the mourning preparations, Tehran issued a stern warning to US President Donald Trump and Israel not to launch any attacks during the mourning period. Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, asserted that any miscalculation by the enemy would be met with a very harsh retaliation. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also stated via social media that Iran would respond swiftly to any threat. Tensions have escalated following reports of threats against the new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, which Tehran has labelled a form of state terrorism by Israel. In parallel, indirect talks between the United States and Iran, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan in Doha, are reported to be showing positive progress. Although no major breakthrough has been achieved, the Qatari Foreign Ministry stated that discussions regarding the implementation of a temporary agreement and shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz were constructive. President Donald Trump expressed optimism, stating that the process of Iran’s denuclearisation is going well. However, internal sources indicate that the nuclear issue was not discussed in depth during this technical round. Negotiations are scheduled to resume immediately after the entire series of Khamenei’s funeral processions is completed. The security issue in the Strait of Hormuz remains a primary flashpoint. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi asserted that the area is under Iran’s command, not US Centcom. Iran requires all commercial ships and tankers to follow routes designated by Tehran to ensure safe passage. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance praised American forces for providing President Trump with bargaining power in the negotiations. Despite this, a report from The Wall Street Journal suggests that the US is considering reducing its military footprint in Saudi Arabia, a move that could alter the regional security map that has been in place for decades.