Live updates: Iran war, Ali Khamenei funeral underway, largest crowds yet expected

Key Points:

• Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s second and longest-serving Supreme Leader, was killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, sparking massive funeral processions in Tehran and other cities, with mourners displaying flags symbolizing martyrdom and resistance.
• Khamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989 and was known for his hardline stance against the West, particularly the United States, maintaining Iran’s isolation and suppressing opposition throughout his tenure.
• His funeral coincides with the Islamic month of Muharram, a significant period for Shia Muslims honoring Imam Hussein’s martyrdom, and includes plans to transport Khamenei’s body to holy sites in Iraq before burial in his hometown Mashhad.
• The funeral procession in Tehran saw huge crowds chanting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans, with some burning flags and holding banners targeting US leaders, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region.
• Meanwhile, NATO leaders are expected to discuss security in the Strait of Hormuz amid reduced traffic levels, and Iran’s relations with Hezbollah remain a critical issue in its negotiations with the United States.