Day 127 | Iran begins weeklong funeral for late Supreme Leader

This live thread has ended. Follow our online coverage of day 128 of the war.

Read more: Day 128 | "Iranians are begging to make a deal," Trump tells Axios

• 'Israeli' military personnel identified and eliminated an armed operative inside the designated Security Zone in southern Lebanon on Saturday.
• The incident took place in the Majdal Zoun area, with the 'Israeli' military characterizing the operative's presence as a blatant violation of the active regional agreement.
• Troops deployed to the sector opened fire upon identifying the threat, later confirming the operative was neutralized following a tactical sweep of the area.

'Israeli' military personnel identified and killed an armed operative operating inside the southern Lebanon Security Zone on Saturday, according to an official military statement.

Troops deployed to the sector spotted the armed individual operating in close proximity to 'Israeli' military positions in the Majdal Zoun area.

The military characterized the operative's presence and actions within the zone as a "blatant violation" of the current security agreements governing the border region.

Engagement and sector sweeps

Upon identifying the armed threat, the soldiers on the ground engaged the individual, opening fire toward the position.

'Israeli' military units initiated extensive searches and tactical sweeps across the immediate area, subsequently confirming that the operative had been killed.

The incident comes amidst heightened regional security tracking and delicate backchannel diplomatic maneuvers between Washington, Tel Aviv, and regional capitals.

In its concluding statement, the 'Israeli' military emphasized its ongoing mandate to maintain defensive readiness along the northern frontier, asserting it will continue operating to remove any direct threats to its service members and 'Israeli' civilians.

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed a planned military operation in the strategic Ali al-Taher region of southern Lebanon following a direct intervention by US President Donald Trump, 'Israel’s' Channel 15 reported Saturday, citing senior defense and political sources.

According to the report, Trump explicitly requested that 'Israel' refrain from escalating the security situation in Lebanon to prevent a broader conflict that could disrupt active, high-stakes diplomatic communications currently taking place between Washington and Tehran.

Prioritizing Iran diplomatic track

The decision to hold back military maneuvers highlights a growing intersection between 'Israeli' battlefield strategy and US foreign policy objectives.

Sources stated that the Trump administration viewed a potential flare-up on the Lebanese border as a direct threat to delicate backchannel talks aimed at securing a broader regional understanding with Iran.

The Ali al-Taher region in southern Lebanon has been a focal point of recent military tracking and border skirmishes.

While defense planners in Tel Aviv had finalized operational blueprints for the area, Netanyahu’s compliance with the White House request underscores the political balancing act required to maintain alignment with Washington amidst ongoing regional volatility.

US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a face-to-face meeting at the White House.

Speaking in a telephone interview with Axios, Trump noted that the sit-down could take place as early as next week following his return from the upcoming NATO summit.

"We get along very good. Netanyahu knows who the boss is," Trump said, referring to himself.

The potential meeting would mark the first formal dialogue between the two leaders since a highly contentious Situation Room session in February, during which Netanyahu presented an 'Israeli' plan to launch a joint military offensive against Iran.

Scheduling logistics and official statements
While Trump indicated a meeting could materialize quickly, an 'Israeli' official suggested that next week may be premature due to the president's scheduled trip to Turkey for the NATO summit on July 7–8. The official noted that the high-level talks "might take place the week after" instead.

Netanyahu's office confirmed that the prime minister called Trump on Friday to extend congratulations on the 250th Independence Day of the United States.

"During their conversation, the Prime Minister said that the United States is a guarantor of global freedom, and that 'Israel' greatly values the close relationship between the two nations," the Prime Minister’s Office stated, adding that both leaders agreed to meet soon on American soil.

Growing policy rifts

Behind the scenes, the relationship between the two administrations has grown increasingly strained since their February encounter. Sources within Trump’s inner circle report mounting disillusionment with the 'Israeli' leader's regional calculations.

"Many of Trump's closest advisers think that Bibi was wrong about everything," a US official told Axios.

Tensions reportedly peaked during a phone call last month, when Trump criticized Netanyahu over 'Israel's' military escalation in Lebanon, using sharp language to accuse the prime minister of ingratitude.

This friction has exposed a wider schism among Republicans, with prominent MAGA figures criticizing Trump's alignment with 'Israeli' policy.

The strategic interests of the two leaders have increasingly diverged.

Despite vocal objections from Netanyahu, Trump recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) extending a ceasefire with Iran and initiating fresh nuclear negotiations.

To safeguard those talks, Trump pressured Netanyahu to restrain 'Israeli' military operations in Lebanon and agree to a framework necessitating an initial withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Khamenei funeral pause

The proposed White House visit carries significant weight for Netanyahu as he launches his campaign for 'Israel’s' upcoming October elections, where current domestic polling shows him trailing behind competitors.

Concurrently, Trump told Axios he is monitoring the public funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated on the opening day of the conflict in a joint US–'Israeli' operation.

Trump claimed that Iranian officials are eager to secure a diplomatic agreement.

However, he confirmed that both Washington and Tehran agreed to temporarily pause their ongoing negotiation track in Qatar for one week until the funeral concludes.

The president noted that a mutual understanding is in place to prevent kinetic strikes during this period, remarking on the presence of foreign dignitaries at the Tehran processions.

'Israel' potential assassination

United States officials attempted to warn Iran this spring regarding concerns that 'Israel' might assassinate Iranian negotiators during active diplomatic talks, the New York Post reported Friday, citing two US officials.

According to the report, the US specifically feared that 'Israel' could target Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a lead figure in the negotiations with Washington, or Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has also maintained a prominent role in the talks.

• Erdoğan said the Washington-Tehran Islamabad agreement eased regional tensions.
• He reaffirmed Turkey's support for efforts to reduce conflict and resolve regional crises.
• Erdoğan warned Ankara is closely watching any attempts to undermine the agreement.
• He criticized the 'Israeli' government and said lasting Middle East solutions must include regional states.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has strongly endorsed the newly finalized "Islamabad Agreement" between the United States and Iran, declaring that the diplomatic breakthrough has allowed the international community to breathe a sigh of relief.

Speaking on Saturday, Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s consistent policy of supporting diplomatic tracks that ease volatile standoffs and actively contribute to resolving long-standing crises across the Middle East.

Vigilance against diplomatic sabotage

While praising the agreement, the Turkish President issued a stern warning to parties seeking to undermine the diplomatic track.

Erdogan stated that Turkish intelligence and diplomatic channels are closely monitoring ongoing attempts to disrupt or derail the implementation of the US–Iran pact.

He coupled this vigilance with a direct critique of 'Israel's' current political leadership, asserting that the international community must prevent the 'Israeli' government from spreading conflict and violence throughout the region once again.

Concluding his remarks, Erdogan outlined Ankara's vision for long-term stability, emphasizing that sustainable peace cannot be manufactured by outside powers alone.

The Turkish President insisted that no diplomatic framework or geopolitical solution can endure in the Middle East if it is formulated outside the collective will or without the direct contribution of the region's sovereign states.

Iran is witnessing a large-scale, multi-day state funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in February during the opening US-‘Israeli’ strikes.

The ceremonies, which began in early July and are expected to draw millions across Tehran, Qom, Mashhad, and sites in Iraq, come more than four months after his death.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the late leader and his designated successor since March, is at the center of heightened security concerns.

Iranian officials reportedly fear that his public appearance at the funeral could expose him to an ‘Israeli’ assassination attempt, according to The New York Times.

Mojtaba wants to attend his father’s July 9 burial in Mashhad, but Iranian security officials have so far rejected the idea fearing ‘Israeli’ attempts on his life, or that he could be tracked back to his hideout, the report added, citing to IRGC members and a person involved in the planning of the funeral.

‘Israeli’ Defense Minister Israel Katz has publicly stated that Mojtaba Khamenei is “marked for death”.

This has prompted strong warnings from Tehran of severe retaliation against any aggression during the mourning period.

The selection of Mojtaba Khamenei, a relatively low-profile cleric in his mid-50s, as supreme leader signaled continuity and defiance amid the war.

Iranian authorities have deployed extensive security measures for the funeral events, which serve both as a tribute and a demonstration of regime resilience.

The proceedings include processions, prayers, and international participation, underscoring national unity following the devastating conflict.

The delayed funeral reflects the challenges Iran faced in the immediate aftermath of the war. It now provides a platform for the new leadership to project strength.

A viral video appearing to show a cardboard cutout of Mojtaba Khamenei at his father's funeral is completely AI-generated. The fabricated footage was created using Grok Imagine and shared widely on social media, misleading some users into believing it was real. 

US President Donald Trump said the United States had granted Iran a temporary pause in hostilities to accommodate funeral proceedings for its slain Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Trump, in a speech delivered at Mount Rushmore on the eve of the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebrations, said: “We knocked the hell out of Iran. They’re dying to settle. They want to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral because we’re nice.”

Khamenei, who led Iran for decades, was killed in a US-‘Israeli’ airstrike in late February 2026 at the outset of escalated conflict.

Iran has organized an extensive, multi-day funeral spectacle beginning around July 4, spanning several cities and expected to draw millions of mourners.

Ceremonies include processions in Tehran and other locations, with the burial scheduled for July 9.

The events coincide symbolically with US national observances, prompting chants of “Death to America” from some attendees.

Iranian officials have warned against any attacks during the mourning period, deploying significant security forces.

Huge crowds gather to pay their final respects to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the start of marathon funeral ceremonies intended to serve as a show of strength to the Islamic republic's foes.

• Authorities imposed extensive traffic restrictions across the capital.
• Large crowds walked several kilometers to reach the heavily secured venue.

Thousands of mourners began entering Tehran's Grand Mosalla on Saturday morning to participate in the funeral ceremonies for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, eyewitnesses reported ahead of the official commencement of the state procession.

The main courtyard of the vast religious and cultural complex quickly filled to capacity as citizens gathered to pay their respects.

In anticipation of the massive turnout, municipal and security authorities have instituted sweeping traffic restrictions across major thoroughfares in the capital.

Extensive security and transit restrictions

The scale of the gathering has fundamentally altered logistics in central Tehran.

Due to the strict security cordons and vehicular bans surrounding the Grand Mosalla, standard transportation links have been halted.

As a result, a massive influx of participants has shifted to pedestrian movement.

On-the-ground reports indicate that large groups of mourners are navigating the urban restrictions by walking several kilometers through the cordoned zones to reach the funeral venue.

The gathering marks the beginning of a highly fortified, weeklong schedule of national mourning events and trilateral coordination tracking designed to manage the high-profile succession and regional defense postures following the leader's death.

• Trump said recent economic indicators show a strong U.S. economy.
• Trump stated that S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow posted their best quarter since his previous presidency, boosting 401(k) accounts.
• He credited his tax policies and record exports for higher disposable income and a smaller trade deficit.
• Trump also said trillions of dollars in new investments are creating factories, jobs, and domestic production.

In a statement released via the social media platform Truth Social, US President Donald Trump praised the current state of the United States economy, characterizing it as experiencing significant growth across multiple sectors.

According to Trump, the stock market recently concluded its strongest quarterly performance since his previous presidential term.

He noted that the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones Industrial Average are all experiencing upward movement, which he stated is directly increasing the value of retirement savings and 401(k) accounts for citizens across the country.

Tax policies, manufacturing investment

The statement also focused on specific legislative and fiscal measures, directly crediting the administration's Working Families Tax Cuts with placing more capital directly into the hands of American families.

Trump further asserted that international and domestic trade dynamics have shifted favorably.

He stated that the United States trade deficit is consistently shrinking, driven by US exports hitting record volumes month after month.

The statement notes that the nation is currently manufacturing, producing, and selling goods at unprecedented levels.

Capital inflow, labor outlook

Concluding his assessment, Trump tied the current industrial output to large-scale capital accumulation secured under his administration's policy framework.

The statement asserts that trillions of dollars in new investments have been successfully drawn into the domestic economy.

According to Trump, this influx of capital is actively resulting in the establishment of more factories, the creation of additional jobs, and expanded economic opportunities for citizens.

"The Golden Age of America is beginning — and we are just getting started!" Trump concluded in the statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the newly established technical Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, calling the preliminary agreement a vital stepping stone toward reinforcing long-term regional stability in the Middle East.

To support the diplomatic breakthrough and ensure the immediate safety of commercial trade routes, Macron announced that France has already dispatched specialized naval assets to the region.

The deployment includes two advanced minesweepers and two multi-mission frigates tasked with eliminating underwater ordnance and ensuring secure transit through the highly contested waterway.

The strategic response expanded further following a joint policy declaration issued by President Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The two leaders formally announced that France and the United Kingdom stand ready to organize and deploy a comprehensive, multinational military mission to enforce and protect freedom of navigation within the Strait of Hormuz.

The joint statement emphasized that restoring unrestricted commercial shipping is a matter of critical global interest.

The proposed Anglo-French naval framework aims to pool international resources, coordinate military planning, and establish a protective umbrella for merchant vessels passing through the Persian Gulf’s primary economic choke point.

For coverage of the previous day, visit the link below.

Read more: Day 126 | Next indirect US-Iran talks to take place after Khamenei’s funeral