Iran warns US, Israel against attacks ahead of funeral processions for Khamenei

Published 02 Jul, 2026 01:57pm 1 min read

An Iranian military commander warned the United States and Israel on Thursday against any attack ​on Iran as it prepares for the ‌state funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in air strikes on the first day of the war.

“We warn the ​enemies of Iran, especially the US and ​the Zionist regime (Israel), to avoid any miscalculation and ⁠to think about the harsh retaliation our armed ​forces would make to any threat and aggression against ​our country,” Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam Al Anbiya Central Headquarters, said in a statement carried by state media.

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.

On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gave a similar warning that Tehran would deliver ​an immediate ​and powerful ⁠response to any threat against its people or leadership after comments by Israeli Defence ​Minister Israel Katz that Iran’s current Supreme ​Leader ⁠Mojtaba Khamenei was “marked for death.”

Iranian media reported heightened security measures during the funeral period, while the head of ⁠Iran’s ​Civil Aviation Organisation said on Wednesday ​that temporary airspace restrictions would be implemented over several cities including ​Tehran and Mashhad.

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