Iran warns US, Israel against attacks amid Khamenei funeral preparations

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Defense &National Security

Defense &National Security

Iran warns against attacks amid Khamenei funeral 

A top Iranian commander warned the U.S. and Israel against waging attacks inside the country as the nation prepares for week-long funeral ceremonies recognizing Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

© AP Photo/Vahid Salemi

“We warn the enemies of Iran, especially the U.S. and the Zionist regime, 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 on Thursday, which was broadcasted by state media. 

Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for nearly four decades, was killed in the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Feb. 28 at the outset of the war. 

Khamenei is to be buried July 9 following days of ceremonies.

The funeral of the ex-supreme leader, who helmed Iran for 37 years, is expected to draw massive crowds of Shiite Muslims across Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan. 

The funeral comes as Iranian officials have been in negotiations with U.S. officials over the opening of Strait of Hormuz and ending hostilities in the region. 

The negotiations, which were recently hosted in Doha, where the U.S. was represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, were focused on the Strait of Hormuz, the key waterway through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas flow through. 

Vice President Vance said on Wednesday that the talks with Iranians were “going well,” but warned the U.S. would not hesitate to resume strikes if Iran continued to attack commercial shipping in the waterway and continue its nuclear program. 

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© The Hill