Day 133 | Explosions reported in southern Iran as Tehran claims attacks on US bases
Key updates:
- Explosions reported across southern Iran, including near the Bushehr nuclear facility.
- US official says American forces have not struck Iran in the past several hours.
- Iran says it targeted US bases and strategic sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
- Slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to be buried in Mashhad after funeral processions in Iraq.
Iran media say 43 million people attended leader’s funeral ceremonies
Iranian media reported that between 41 million and 43 million people took part in six days of funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
State-run Press TV described the events as “the largest procession the world has ever witnessed,” with ceremonies held across five cities: Tehran, Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad.
The official public funeral began last Saturday at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex, where tens of thousands gathered as Khamenei’s coffin was put on display.
Representatives from Iran’s regional allies, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad from Gaza, Hezbollah from Lebanon, and the Houthis from Yemen, attended the ceremonies.
Khamenei was later buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Iran’s holiest Shia site, more than four months after he was killed in a US-‘Israeli’ strike on his compound in central Tehran.
Iran buries Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in shrine
Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was buried early Friday morning in a private ceremony at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, according to a statement posted on his official X account.
Khamenei’s family attended the burial at the shrine in his birthplace, following several days of public funeral ceremonies that drew large crowds of mourners across Iran.
His successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared publicly during the funeral events, drawing attention as Iran begins the transition to new leadership.
'Israel' told US Iran is plotting to assassinate Trump: Report
The Wall Street Journal reports that 'Israel' shared intelligence with the US indicating Iran was considering a new plot to assassinate President Donald Trump, as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high. Iran has not commented on the report.
US prepared to strike Iran tonight if needed, US officials told CNN
The United States is prepared to carry out further strikes against Iran if necessary, US officials told CNN, as Washington weighs military options while diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes.
Officials said preparations are in place for potential strikes tonight, but the US is currently allowing diplomacy to take the lead in an effort to prevent further escalation. Washington is maintaining a list of potential targets as leverage while using pauses between operations to create space for negotiations.
Earlier Thursday, crews aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea loaded fighter jets with weapons and conducted drills in preparation for possible operations. The carrier’s captain told thousands of crew members that tensions were rising and urged them to remain ready.
US officials also rejected Iranian claims that additional American strikes had already taken place, saying those reports were inaccurate. However, they cautioned that the situation remains fluid and military action could resume if necessary.
Former Iranian supreme leader buried: state TV
Former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei was buried Friday in his home city of Mashhad, state television reported, following a ceremony at which his son and successor was not seen.
The "body of the martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution was buried in the memorial hall of the shrine of Imam Reza," state broadcaster IRIB reported.
CENTCOM rejects Iranian claim of control over Strait of Hormuz
US Central Command (CENTCOM) dismissed Iranian state media claims that Tehran controls transit through the Strait of Hormuz, saying US forces have helped secure the passage of more than 800 commercial vessels and 380 million barrels of crude oil since early May.
CLAIM: Iranian state media claims that transit through the Strait of Hormuz is only permitted through routes designated by Iran.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 9, 2026
TRUTH: Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Since early May, U.S. forces have helped facilitate the successful transit of more than 800… pic.twitter.com/cpnTDBoFEG
Trump updated Netanyahu on US 'moves in Gulf': 'Israeli' PM's office
US President Donald Trump briefed Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday about US operations in the Gulf, the 'Israeli' Prime Minister's office said, after Iran reported fresh American strikes.
"As part of the continuous contact" between the two, "President Trump updated the Prime Minister on American moves in the Gulf," Netanyahu's office said in a message on X.
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Read more: Day 132 | US launches new strikes on Iran as Trump warns of more attacks
