Post by : Badri Ariffin

On Friday, Iran marked the burial of Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader, more than four months post his death due to an airstrike on February 28. The ceremony concluded with his interment at the Imam Reza Shrine's memorial hall in Mashhad, his birthplace in eastern Iran.

With Khamenei's coffin adorned in the Iranian flag, a multitude gathered outside the shrine for prayers. State broadcaster IRIB announced that the "martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution was laid to rest in the memorial hall of Imam Reza's shrine."

Notably absent was Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei's son and successor, who did not make an appearance at the ceremony.

Senior Iranian Officials Present at the Ceremony

Top Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker and chief nuclear negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, attended the funeral along with Mostafa Khamenei, the former leader's eldest son. State television depicted senior officials beside the coffin, some visibly emotional during the proceedings.

Despite his designation as successor, Mojtaba Khamenei communicated only via written messages following his injuries during the airstrikes, remaining unseen at the funeral.

Burial Occurs Amid Renewed US-Iran Military Skirmishes

This burial coincided with a second consecutive day of military exchanges between Iran and the US, heightening concerns of a wider regional conflict.

Iranian officials claimed US airstrikes had resulted in 17 casualties, with state media reporting damage to a railway line connecting Tehran and Mashhad.

Iran also resumed attacks targeting US military interests in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Concurrently, Jordan's military reported interception of several missiles launched from Iran.

Meanwhile, a US defense official stated that the missiles and drones from Iran caused minimal harm and that no American forces were impacted.

Cries for Retribution from Mourners

Thousands donned in black converged in Mashhad for the memorial, with various attendees vocalizing calls for vengeance against US President Donald Trump. AFP observed one English-language slogan declaring, "Hey Trump, we will kill you."

In a separate but related report, The Wall Street Journal cited unnamed sources noting Israel briefed the US on intelligence regarding potential Iranian schemes against Trump.

Reports of New Strikes Surface

Iranian state media claimed the US targeted the periphery of Iran’s only civilian nuclear plant in Bushehr. This information came from the deputy governor of Bushehr province.

Additional reports indicated that another projectile hit a military installation near Bushehr, though a US military spokesperson denied conducting strikes on Iranian territory at that time.

A strike affecting the Tehran-Mashhad railway, situated 55 kilometers from Mashhad, disrupted train services, requiring passengers to switch to buses.

Iran Claims Offensive Against US Military Installations

The Iranian army stated it utilized drones to strike at a Patriot missile system in Kuwait and early warning systems in Qatar, part of its campaign against US bases in the Gulf.

US authorities maintain that these attacks inflicted no significant harm and confirmed the absence of American casualties.

Security remained exceptionally tight during Khamenei's burial, with visual footage from his official site displaying military jets escorting the plane that transported his coffin.

Israel's Stance on Potential Further Action

In the wake of the ongoing conflict, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz indicated Israel's readiness to strike Iran again if required, after the June 2025 war with Iran.

He cautioned that Israel could engage in a "third attack," asserting that any future actions would involve "greater force." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed discussions with US President Donald Trump regarding military initiatives in the Gulf.

Strait of Hormuz Persists as a Tension Point

The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of conflict between Iran and the US, with Iran insisting on control of this strategic maritime route despite it being previously open for international navigation.

Recent Iranian attacks on vessels have prompted extensive American military responses since Tuesday.

As per maritime tracking company Kpler, the rate of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz plummeted following recent hostilities, especially along the Omani route under United Nations protection.

#Global News #Iran News #US News #World Update