Day 129 | 'Israel' strikes Lebanon as Iran mourns Khamenei

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Read more: Day 130 | Funeral procession for Iran's supreme leader continues

The body of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei arrived in the city of Qom on Monday evening, according to reports from state television.

The arrival precedes a planned public procession scheduled to take place in the city on Tuesday.

State television published footage on social media documenting the arrival, which showed a helicopter carrying Khamenei's body landing in Qom, located south of the capital city of Tehran.

In its official broadcast announcement, state television stated, "The body of the martyred leader has arrived in Qom."

‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said relations with the United States remain stable, acknowledging “differences of opinion” but rejecting claims of a wider rift with Washington.

Speaking to US media, Netanyahu said he and US President Donald Trump “see eye-to-eye on just about everything,” adding that both sides manage disagreements as allied partners.

“My relationship with the president is fine, and we have a way of ironing out our differences as allies who respect each other,” he said.

Netanyahu also said he opposes any US sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye ahead of Trump’s upcoming visit to Ankara, underscoring ongoing Israeli concerns over regional military balances.

• 'Israeli' foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar said the Trump's plan requires complete disarmament of Hamas and the Gaza Strip.
• He warned that any civilian administration would remain under Hamas' influence if the group retains its military capabilities.

‘Israeli’ Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar issued a sharp warning regarding ongoing governance proposals for the Gaza Strip, claiming that Hamas is actively employing a political maneuver to retain its military dominance.

Speaking on current diplomatic tracks, Sa'ar asserted that the faction is attempting to cede municipal management to a neutral civil administration solely to shield its weapons stockpile from international enforcement.

Technocratic committee 'trap'

Sa'ar outlined what he described as Hamas's underlying strategy in proposing a non-factional governance model.

He stated that the group's objective is to allow a technocratic committee to assume responsibility for daily municipal operations and civilian services, leaving Hamas free to function strictly as an independent military force.

The Foreign Minister cautioned that a separation of civil administration from military oversight would create a dangerous illusion of transition.

He stressed that if Hamas’s weapons infrastructure remains intact, the newly formed civil government will ultimately be forced to operate entirely under the group's dictates, ensuring a continuous launchpad for conflict against ‘Israel’.

Demanding literal enforcement of Trump's plan

Rejecting any framework that allows the group to retain an armed presence, Sa'ar reaffirmed Tel Aviv’s unyielding commitment to the US-backed diplomatic blueprints currently on the table.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that ‘Israel’ will settle for nothing less than the literal, uncompromised execution of US President Donald Trump’s regional peace plan, which explicitly mandates the total, verified disarmament of both Hamas and the broader Gaza Strip.

Iran’s Defense Ministry spokesperson said the primary threat in the region is ‘Israel’, as Tehran continues to emphasize strengthening its military deterrence capabilities.

The spokesperson said Iran is enhancing its defensive readiness through what he described as close monitoring of regional threats led by ‘Israel’.

“The main threat in the region is the Israeli entity,” the spokesperson said, according to Iranian state media.

He added that Iran is focused on reinforcing its deterrent capacity in response to evolving regional security challenges, reiterating longstanding Iranian positions that frame ‘Israel’ as the central source of instability in the Middle East.

Russia's state nuclear company Rosatom is planning to send personnel back to Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant starting in mid-July, according to Russia's Interfax news agency.

Rosatom is constructing two additional reactor units at the Bushehr facility, which came under multiple US-'Israeli' attacks following the outbreak of the conflict with Iran in late February.

Nearly 200 Rosatom employees were evacuated from the nuclear plant in April because of security concerns.

US President Donald Trump said he is not seeking regime change in Iran, while claiming the country is now under what he described as a "third regime."

"I am not seeking regime change. In fact, this is already a regime change. The first regime is gone, the second regime is gone as well. This is the third regime, and I think this regime is behaving more reasonably," Trump said during remarks at the White House.

Trump said the primary objective of launching military action against Iran was to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

He also claimed the United States would take possession of what he described as Iran's "nuclear dust," referring to more than 400 kilograms of enriched uranium.

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the United States to deny the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, warning that enhancing Ankara's aerial capabilities would severely disrupt the regional balance of power.

Speaking to Fox News on Monday, Netanyahu framed Turkey through a dual lens, balancing praise for the nation against fierce criticism of its current political leadership.

"Turkey is a wonderful country, but it is run by a person who openly calls for the destruction of 'Israel'," Netanyahu stated during the broadcast interview.

Netanyahu’s explicit push against Turkey's defense acquisitions comes at a highly delicate geopolitical moment, coinciding directly with the 2026 NATO summit hosted in Turkey, where multi-billion dollar international defense transactions are currently being finalized.

The 'Israeli' leader argued that a transfer of fifth-generation stealth fighters to Ankara would directly undermine the long-standing strategic equilibrium that relies heavily on 'Israel’s' qualitative military superiority in the region.

To reinforce his argument to American lawmakers, Netanyahu sharply contrasted 'Israel’s' geopolitical loyalty against Ankara's recent foreign policy track.

He emphasized that throughout the recent regional conflicts, 'Israel' stood unyielding alongside the United States in actively confronting Iranian operations, whereas Turkey adopted a noticeably divergent path.

Expand to Abraham Accords

Looking past the active border truces, Netanyahu outlined a broader strategic vision for the Middle East, maintaining that international pressure must remain tightly fixed on Tehran.

He asserted that systematically weakening Iran's political and military infrastructure remains the primary prerequisite for regional stability, noting that degrading Tehran's capabilities is what ultimately opens the door to securing fresh peace agreements modeled after the historic Abraham Accords.

Concluding the interview, the Prime Minister moved to decisively dispel reports of an intensifying political fracture between Tel Aviv and the White House regarding the management of post-war negotiations.

Netanyahu insisted that there are absolutely no fundamental or structural disagreements between Jerusalem and Washington.

"President Trump and I have two different styles of expression, but we are the best of allies," Netanyahu stated, affirming that the underlying strategic partnership remains entirely intact.

Tens of thousands of Iranian citizens filled Enghelab (Revolution) Square in central Tehran on Monday, marking one of the largest public turnouts yet since the weeklong state funeral processions began for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The vast square, historically the focal point for major national and political mobilizations, was transformed into a dense sea of black-clad mourners. The crowds were uniformly synchronized by the rhythmic, thunderous chant of "Ya Hussein" -a traditional Shia invocation of Imam Hussein- the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and the ultimate symbol of martyrdom and resilience.

Cultural and spiritual resonance

The invocation of "Ya Hussein" serves as a foundational pillar of the Islamic Republic’s ideological identity during times of national grief and systemic transition.

Security analysts note that state media prominently broadcasted the echoes from Enghelab Square to project an image of solidarity, cultural cohesion, and spiritual continuity to both domestic audiences and international observers.

As the weeklong mourning cycle progresses, the high-volume public turnout is occurring alongside intense, closed-door realignments within the political establishment in Tehran.

Despite the sharp behind-the-scenes friction between pragmatic government officials and hardline ideological groups over a tentative diplomatic understanding with Washington, the scene on the streets remained strictly focused on traditional, solemn state protocol.

The multi-city funeral services are scheduled to continue moving across major religious and administrative centers over the coming days, culminating in the official final burial at the Imam Reza Shrine in the holy city of Mashhad on July 9.

The most prominent absentee from the funeral proceedings for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, according to Iranian media reports.

Mojtaba Khamenei, widely regarded as a key figure in Iran’s political hierarchy, has not appeared publicly during the ceremonies in Tehran, where large crowds have gathered for days of state mourning.

Iranian media reports claim he was injured in a US-'Israeli' strike on 28 February that killed his father during the early stages of the conflict. Israeli officials had previously vowed to target him both before and after his reported succession.

His absence has not been officially explained by Iranian authorities, though some reports suggest security concerns may be a factor.

Since the reported succession in early March, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public and has only issued written statements through Iranian media. His most recent statement reportedly involved reappointing the head of Iran’s judiciary for another term.

Reports also indicate that members of the Khamenei family were killed during the conflict, including Mojtaba’s wife, Zahra Haddad-Adel. He was also absent from her reported funeral ceremony.

While delegations from multiple countries and allied regional groups have attended the proceedings, several senior Iranian political figures, including former presidents, have not been seen.

It remains unclear whether Mojtaba Khamenei will appear later in the ceremonies or at the burial, expected to take place in Mashhad in the coming days.

Lebanon's president said Monday that ‘Israel's’ occupation of the south was preventing the Lebanese army's deployment to the area, as the two sides prepare to implement a deal involving the deployment and gradual ‘Israeli’ withdrawal.

According to a statement from his office, President Joseph Aoun emphasised the need to pressure ‘Israel’ to withdraw its forces "because the persistence of the occupation undermines the legitimacy of the state and prevents the army from deploying and the laying of the foundations for achieving a just and lasting peace".

Indonesia and Singapore have said the Strait of Malacca will remain “safe, open and accessible to all,” as Iran moves to impose fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The commitment was made following talks in Jakarta between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, with both leaders stressing the importance of maintaining uninterrupted maritime trade routes.

Prabowo said Indonesia would continue coordinating with Malaysia and Thailand to ensure the Malacca Strait remains a free passageway.

“We will continue to coordinate with Malaysia and Thailand,” he said, adding that the strait must remain open for global shipping.

Wong said Singapore and Indonesia remain committed to freedom of navigation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The statement comes after Iran’s ambassador to China said vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz would be subject to new fees, with “friendly” countries potentially receiving preferential treatment.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who also serves as a top negotiator, said implementing a ceasefire agreement signed with the United States is “difficult, but achievable,” according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.

Ghalibaf made the remarks during a meeting with Hamas political bureau chief Muhammad Ismail Darwish, who was in Tehran for the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Ghalibaf said Iran does not “have peace with America and will not recognize ‘Israel’,” while reiterating Tehran’s support for what it calls the “resistance front,” a term used for regional armed groups aligned with Iran.

He added that “when necessary, that support comes in the form of missiles; when political pressure is needed, that pressure is applied through negotiations,” according to IRIB.

Ghalibaf also said that “avenging” Khamenei would come through the “liberation of Jerusalem,” without providing further details.

According to IRIB, the 14-point agreement signed last month between Iran and the United States outlines a 60-day negotiation period covering sanctions relief, Iran’s nuclear program, and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but does not address Iran’s regional armed alliances or its missile and drone programs.

A vehicle was struck in an airstrike on the road to Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon, killing a school director and injuring three other people, according to a Roya TV correspondent in Lebanon.

The victim was identified as educator Esperanza Fakhri Ghandour, the principal of Salman Shamoun kindergarten. She was killed instantly when her car was hit in the attack.

The same strike also left three people injured. The vehicle was travelling on the main road leading to Nabatieh al-Fawqa when it was hit.

Ten Japan-linked vessels have begun departing the Strait of Hormuz after spending months stranded in the Gulf due to the US-'Israeli' war on Iran.

The vessels include six oil tankers carrying about 12 million barrels of crude oil, along with two chemical tankers, a vehicle carrier, and a container ship. The crude, loaded between late February and early March, originated from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, according to LSEG shipping data.

Most of the ships are managed by Mitsui OSK Lines, which said it would prioritize the safety of its crews, cargo, and vessels while transiting the strategic waterway.

In a separate development, South Korean refiner S-Oil said the very large crude carrier Long Wind, carrying two million barrels of Saudi crude for its refinery, departed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. The tanker is expected to arrive in Onsan, South Korea, on July 26, according to LSEG data.

Nearly four decades after millions of Iranians filled the streets to bid farewell to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the country has once again witnessed massive funeral ceremonies for a supreme leader.

Iran is holding multi-day funeral processions for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, drawing huge crowds in Tehran and other cities in a display that has revived memories of the historic funeral held for the founder of the Islamic Republic in 1989.

When Khomeini died in June 1989, an estimated 10.2 million people attended his funeral, according to official Iranian figures. The turnout was later recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest percentage of a country's population to attend a funeral.

The ceremony, however, descended into chaos after mourners surged toward Khomeini's coffin, triggering a crowd crush that forced authorities to suspend the funeral procession. The coffin was eventually airlifted by helicopter so the crowds could disperse before burial resumed, according to Iran's semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA).

The Associated Press reported at the time that eight people were killed and hundreds were injured during the crush.

While official attendance figures for Khamenei's funeral have not yet been released, images from Tehran have shown vast crowds gathering for prayers and funeral processions, making it one of the largest public gatherings in Iran since Khomeini's death.

The parallel between the two funerals underscores the symbolic significance of the supreme leader's role in the Islamic Republic, with both ceremonies drawing extraordinary public participation despite being separated by nearly 37 years.

'Israeli' Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned that any Iranian leader who "attempts to advance plans to destroy 'Israel'" will be "thwarted," as Iran continues a multi-day funeral for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to a spokesperson on Monday, Katz said Khamenei "was eliminated by Israel because he initiated and led the plan to destroy Israel in Iran and across the region."

Katz also said recent US-'Israel' strikes on Iran had "removed the immediate existential threats facing 'Israel'" and "severely damaged Iran's strategic capabilities."

He further criticized mourners chanting "Death to Trump" during the funeral, describing the slogans as "disgraceful" and saying they "reveal the true nature of the ayatollah regime."

The funeral procession for Iran's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei begins in Tehran, state television reports, as authorities prepare for crowds that could rival those that turned out for his predecessor nearly four decades ago.

After lying in state for two days at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex, the body of Khamenei -- who was killed on the first day of the Middle East war on February 28 -- began its journey through the capital accompanied by massive crowds of mourners, state broadcaster IRIB reports.

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei's three sons — Mostafa, Masoud, and Meysam (from right to left) - mourn their father, as vast crowds gather to pay their final respects on the second day of his funeral ceremonies at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran.

Ali Khamenei’s coffin makes its way through the streets of Tehran on Monday morning during the lengthy funeral procession.