West Asia war LIVE: Iran warns oil tankers to use approved routes in Strait of Hormuz or face 'forceful response'

Home

News

World

Pakistan, a key mediator in talks between the United States and Iran on ending the West Asia war, said its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would be at the funeral in Tehran on July 4, 2026

Updated - July 03, 2026 07:40 am IST

Mourners react as they gather around the coffin of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as it lies in a mourning hall adjacent to the Imam Khomeini Hussainiya within the Supreme Leader's compound before his funeral in Tehran, Iran, on July 2, 2026.

| Photo Credit:

AP

Tehran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had called on Thursday (July 2, 2026) for a massive turnout at the event as a way to avenge the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in U.S.-Israeli strikes on the first day of the war.

Read | In the Strait of Hormuz, Iran draws its red lines

“The nation’s call for vengeance must ring in the ears of the whole world,” said Ghalibaf, who is also Iran’s parliament speaker.

Read more: West Asia war updates July 2, 2026

Khamenei’s funeral, initially delayed at the height of the war, will take place as Iran and the United States observe a fragile ceasefire after signing a preliminary deal to halt the conflict.

Follow the live for more updates

July 03, 2026 07:23

Preparations for funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader in full swing

Preparations for the funeral of Iran’s slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei were in full swing on Friday (July 3, 2026), with authorities expecting millions and a coterie of foreign dignitaries to attend the official ceremony.

Pakistan, a key mediator in talks between the United States and Iran on ending the West Asia war, said its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would be at the funeral in Tehran on Saturday (July 4, 2026) .

China, Afghanistan and Iran’s neighbours in the Caucasus region said they would also be sending representatives.

AFP

July 03, 2026 06:53

Mojtaba Khamenei to skip his father, Ali Khamenei's, funeral over security concerns: Report

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojataba Khamenei will not attend the funeral ceremonies for his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, due to security concerns, according to the current leader’s representative in India, Ayatollah Hakim Elahi.

Elahi attributed the decision to Israeli threats and surveillance risks that would make public attendance dangerous.

Earlier on Wednesday (July 1, 2026), Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi issued a sharp warning to the United States, urging President Donald Trump to “muzzle its pets” in Israel after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was “marked for death”.

ANI

Published - July 03, 2026 06:50 am IST