Weekend Recap
By Sammy Tisser,
Khamenei Funeral Begins in Tehran Six days of funeral ceremonies for Iran's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei officially opened at Tehran's Grand Mosalla complex, with state television reporting the event was designed as a show of strength toward the Islamic Republic's adversaries. Iranian authorities say they expect between 15 and 20 million participants in Tehran alone over the next three days. Authorities imposed sweeping traffic restrictions across the capital, and journalists described mourners walking several kilometers to reach the venue, with the courtyard filling well before the ceremony's official start. Iran deliberately selected July 4, the 250th anniversary of American independence, to launch the proceedings.
The Route Ahead Khamenei's coffin will lie in state until Monday, when a procession moves through Tehran. On Tuesday the body travels to the clerical center of Qom, then on Wednesday to Shia holy cities in neighboring Iraq, Najaf and Karbala, before burial Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad in Iran's northeast, at the shrine of Imam Reza. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the US-Iran talks, is set to attend, along with representatives from China, Afghanistan and Iran's Caucasus neighbors.
Vahidi Resurfaces IRGC commander Gen. Ahmad Vahidi reappeared publicly for the first time since February 8, weeks before the war began, photographed at a funeral planning meeting and later seated beside Khamenei's casket. Analysts say Vahidi has emerged as a key figure shaping Iran's hardline negotiating posture and is believed to be among a small circle in direct contact with new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Mojtaba's Absence Raises Questions It remains unclear whether Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Khamenei's son and successor, will appear at any point in the funeral proceedings. The New York Times reports Iranian sources say he has asked to attend but officials have blocked the request over fears Israel could attempt an assassination or use his appearance to locate him. He reportedly still intends to be present for the July 9 burial. He was also absent from Wednesday's memorial for his wife, who was killed with their teenage son in the war's opening strikes, a pattern the report says is fueling speculation about whether he has actually been running the country since being wounded in the same February 28 strike that killed his father.
Chants of Vengeance, Warning of "Divine Retribution" Mourners carrying red banners, a traditional symbol of vengeance, chanted "Death to America! Death to Israel!" according to Ynet, along with "Our slogan is one word: Revenge, revenge" and "We will kill, we will kill he who killed our Imam." IRGC Navy chief Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei, who appears to have replaced Alireza Tangsiri following his killing in a March airstrike, said: "We are confident that divine retribution against the terrorist US and the illegitimate Zionist regime is not far away, and that the banner of truth will remain raised at the summit of dignity and power." He added that those behind Khamenei's killing "exposed themselves to history's condemnation and to the wrath and severe retribution of this nation."
Iran-US Talks Resume July 11 Al Arabiya reports negotiations between Washington and Tehran will resume July 11 once the funeral concludes, covering sanctions, Iran's frozen funds and the nuclear file. The sides held indirect technical talks in Doha on Wednesday, which Trump called "very good." Iran claims a partial release of frozen funds was agreed, though US officials reportedly dispute that. The talks follow a memorandum of understanding signed two weeks ago setting a 60 day window for a final nuclear deal.
Araghchi Meets Hamas and Hezbollah Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted photos on his Telegram channel showing him with Hamas Shura Council chairman Muhammad Ismail Darwish and other Hamas and Hezbollah officials. State media confirms delegations from both Iran backed groups attended the funeral and met with Araghchi. Hezbollah's delegation, led by former minister Mohammed Fneish, included families of killed and wounded members. Hamas's delegation was headed by Darwish and included political bureau member Bassem Naim.
Netanyahu-Trump Call In a phone interview with Axios's Barak Ravid, Trump said he and Netanyahu "get along very good" and that the Israeli leader "knows who the boss is." Netanyahu has requested a White House meeting that could happen as early as next week following the NATO summit in Turkey, though an Israeli official said it may slip to the following week over scheduling. It would be their first meeting since February, when Netanyahu presented plans for the joint operation against Iran. Netanyahu's office said he told Trump the US is "a guarantor of global freedom" and that the two agreed to meet soon. Trump also claimed Iran is "begging to make a deal" and that both sides paused negotiations to allow the funeral to proceed without attacks, saying "one shot \[and we can take them all out\], but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with." He said he was surprised to see Iranians crying at the funeral, adding, "Maybe it's fake tears."
Lebanon-Israel Framework Deal Fallout Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the framework deal reached in Washington last week "does not legitimize the continuation of the Israeli occupation in Lebanon," explaining the absence of a timetable reflects that it is a "framework formula" rather than a final agreement. "Our shared objective is one: to secure Israel's withdrawal," he said. He was responding to criticism of Article 13 from Amnesty International and five other NGOs, who said the framework "betrays victims of war crimes." Aoun said the text suspends legal proceedings between the two states during negotiations but does not bar private legal action. The deal, involving Israel, the US and Lebanon, calls for Hezbollah's disarmament and a subsequent Israeli withdrawal, following Israeli operations in southern Lebanon since Hezbollah's March 2 attack in support of Iran. Separately, in a message marking US independence day, Aoun urged Washington to keep "standing beside Lebanon's right and just causes, its institutions, army and people," expressing hope Lebanon could move past war toward "peace and stability." The US embassy in Lebanon said on X it is proud to stand with Lebanon "as they forge a brighter future."
Hezbollah Operative Killed in South Lebanon The IDF says reservists from the 551st Brigade spotted an armed Hezbollah operative near Israeli forces in the Majdal Zoun area inside Israel's buffer zone. Troops opened fire and, after a manhunt, killed the operative to eliminate the threat.
Syria Opens Trials Over Sweida Violence Syrian authorities began prosecuting suspects tied to clashes last July that killed roughly 2,000 people in the Druze majority Sweida province and prompted Israeli strikes on Syrian government forces. A justice ministry statement said a Damascus court opened public sessions as of July 1 with defendants and their lawyers present, aiming to "establish the facts and hold accountable anyone proven responsible for any violations... regardless of their position or the side to which the acts are attributed." Other suspects remain under investigation. In March the investigative committee said it had compiled a list of suspects from the defense and interior ministries, Druze factions and civilians including Bedouins and tribes. The violence began as clashes between Druze factions and Bedouin fighters before security forces loyal to President Ahmed al-Sharaa intervened on the Bedouin side alongside other tribal groups. Government forces and allies were accused of abuses including executing civilians, prompting Israeli strikes aimed at protecting the Druze, roughly 150,000 of whom live in Israel and often serve in its military.
Topics: Iran, Lebanon & Hezbollah, Gaza
Reported by Sammy Tisser for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.