Iran warns US, Israel against attacks ahead of long-delayed Khamenei funeral

Key Points:

• Iranian military commander Ali Abdollahi warned the US and Israel against any attack, threatening harsh retaliation as Iran prepares for the state funeral of slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in Israeli airstrikes on February 28.
• Funeral processions for Khamenei will begin on Saturday in Tehran, concluding on July 9 in Mashhad, with ceremonies expected to draw 15 to 20 million mourners, making it Iran's largest state funeral in history.
• Iran has imposed public holidays, office closures, traffic restrictions, and heightened security measures in Tehran and other cities during the funeral period, while the attendance of Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains uncertain.
• Iran’s joint military command warned all oil tankers must use Iranian-approved routes through the Strait of Hormuz or face a "forceful response," criticizing US military presence and asserting control over navigation in this strategically vital waterway.
• Tensions over the Strait of Hormuz persist amid US and Gulf Arab opposition to Iran’s demands for charging fees on passage, following recent attacks linked to attempts to establish new shipping routes near Oman.