Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Funeral Updates | Qatar-Iran resume maritime trade amid Ali Khamenei’s funeral

Trump, in an interview with Axios, expressed his surprise at the scale of mourning in Iran. He admitted that he had expected people to dislike Khamenei and suggested the tears on display could be "fake". 

Maritime trade between Qatar and Iran has resumed, the two countries announced on Sunday and said that maritime activities between their ports would resume ⁠with immediate effect. This comes amid a funeral procession underway for the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Notably, the current Supreme Leader and son of Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been absent from the procession and is reportedly recovering from injuries sustained in the February 28 attack that killed Khamenei and four other family members. The funeral rites will continue with mass processions across Iran before Khamenei’s remains are taken to the Shia holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq and returned for burial in Mashhad.

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Meanwhile, Iran today slammed US President Donald Trump’s “one shot” remark on Ali Khamenei’s funeral, and said, “People can be killed, but ideals cannot. You killed Ayatollah Khamenei, but in reality, you broke a perfume bottle whose scent spread everyplace.” Targeting Trump in a post on X, the Iranian Embassy in the US said: “You don’t understand these things because you have neither civilization, nor history, nor honor.”

Trump, in an interview with Axios, had expressed his surprise at the scale of mourning in Iran. He admitted that he had expected people to dislike Khamenei and suggested the tears on display could be “fake”.  He said that the US was holding back during Khamenei’s funeral despite having the capability to strike, telling the outlet: “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 claimed Iran was “begging to make a deal” and said Washington had paused action for a week out of respect for the ceremonies.

Millions of Iranians have taken to the streets during the week-long funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, making it one of the most closely watched global events in recent days. As large crowds gather across Iran, comments by US President Donald Trump about the funeral and Iran’s sharp response have added a political edge to the mourning period.

Latest developments: 

•  Over 10 million people and delegates from 100+ countries expected at the funeral
• Iran preparing for possible mass-casualty incidents during processions
• Authorities estimate 15–20 million attendees in Tehran over three days
• Funeral ceremonies to continue in Iraq before final burial
• Mojtaba Khamenei, named successor, has not yet appeared in public

Follow The Indian Express Global Desk live coverage for the latest updates from West Asia, the diplomatic corridors of Europe, and the evolving legal battles in Washington.

Live Updates
Jul 5, 2026 10:44 PM IST
US pressure led 13 countries to skip Ali Khamenei's funeral, claims Iranian media report

A total of 13 countries have withdrawn or scaled down their participation in the funeral ceremony of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following diplomatic pressure from Iran, reported Iran's state-linked Tasnim news agency.

Citing a source, Tasnim reported that 13 countries included three Eastern European countries, five African countries, two Persian Gulf Arab countries, and two major East Asian countries.

Jul 5, 2026 09:10 PM IST
Calls for revenge as senior Iranian officials appear in public for supreme leader's funeral

Iran's top officials and brothers of the new supreme leader emerged into public view Sunday to attend funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Their appearance signalled confidence in their safety as Iran pushes back on US demands in negotiations to permanently end the war.

- AP

Jul 5, 2026 07:47 PM IST
More than 3 million metro trips recorded in Tehran overnight amid Ali Khamenei's funeral

Amid the funeral procession of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, more than 3 million metro trips have been recorded in Tehran overnight after 1.3 million passengers took metro trips, CNN reported.

"From midnight until 9 am today, 1,308,445 passengers made over 3 million trips on the Tehran Metro," Iran's state-affiliated Fars news agency reported.

Jul 5, 2026 06:58 PM IST
Iran parliament speaker Ghalibaf shares images from Ali Khamenei's funeral

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Sunday shared images and videos on social media from the funeral procession for the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf wrote, "Today, the proud and invincible nation of Islamic Iran unanimously bore witness for their mujahid martyr Imam. And rose as one, crying out from the depths of their souls: Ya Latharat al-Husayn (peace be upon him)."

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Jul 5, 2026 06:16 PM IST
OPEC+ approves further oil output increase as Strait of Hormuz exports start to recover

OPEC+ countries have agreed to further increase output targets from August, the group said in a statement on Sunday.

The development comes as global oil prices are falling due to the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports, Reuters reported.

Jul 5, 2026 06:10 PM IST
Qatar-Iran resume maritime trade amid Ali Khamenei's funeral

Maritime trade between Qatar and Iran has resumed, the two countries announced on Sunday and said that maritime activities between their ports would resume ⁠with immediate effect.

The development comes amid a funeral procession underway for the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Jul 5, 2026 05:53 PM IST
Iranians call for US President Donald Trump's 'death' at Khamenei's funeral

During the funeral procession of Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, hundreds of thousands of the crowd chanted for the "killing" of US President Donald Trump, reports stated.

Referring to Trump, Mohammad Rasouli, a poet, asked, "Why is the most bastard man in the world still alive?” Al Jazeera reported.

Jul 5, 2026 05:48 PM IST
Who are the prominent Iranians attending former Supreme Leader Khamenei's funeral

Iranian leaders were seen praying over the coffins of the deceased Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family members on the second day of his public funeral.

Among high-profile Iranians joining the funeral procession are:

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chief Brigadier-General Ahmad Vahidi
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Jul 5, 2026 05:40 PM IST
What is the plan for remainder of Khamenei's five-day funeral

The second day of the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral procession has been underway, and it is expected to continue until Thursday.

Here's a look at the chain of events planned for the next five days:

July 5: The second day of the procession is scheduled for prayers for Khamenei and the members of his family, and after that, the public farewell ceremony will continue.
July 6: A funeral procession in Tehran will happen, and the ceremony is expected to begin at 6am (local time).
July 7: Prayers are scheduled to take place at Jamkaran Mosque in Qom, around 150 kilometres south of Tehran.
July 8: Ali Khamenei's body is scheduled to be transported to Iraq's Najaf city, and an official reception will be held that will be attended by Iraq’s prime minister, senior government officials and religious leaders, CNN reported.
July 9: Khamenei will be buried at the Imam Reza shrine on Thursday.
Jul 5, 2026 04:35 PM IST
Khamenei was at his office during the Israel-US attack. How was he killed?

The killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled the country with an iron fist for 36 years, involved painstaking intelligence gathering by Israeli secret services, with crucial technological resources and manpower provided over the six months by the CIA and other US intelligence services.

At the time of the US-Israel joint attack, the 86-year-old leader of the Islamic Republic was at his office, and his family members were also not spared in the series of air strikes. In the major blow to Iran, seven “members of the top Iranian security leadership who had gathered at several locations in Tehran” were killed along with forty other senior Iranian leaders, The Guardian report said.

‘Sixty seconds for the operation’

“Sixty seconds. That’s all it took for this operation, but it is the product of years in the making,” Oded Ailam, a former head of the Mossad’s counter-terrorism division and a researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, told The Guardian. “The modern battlefield is no longer defined only by tanks and aircraft. It is defined by data, access, trust and timing. One minute can change a region.” Read more

Jul 5, 2026 03:51 PM IST
IRGC chief Vahidi attends funeral

Revolutionary Guard chief Brigadier-General Ahmad Vahidi was among high-profile Iranians who attended the funeral prayers for the late Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Vahidi is a key member of the IRGC from its earliest days in the late 1970s. Vahidi rose through the ranks during the 1980s, holding key positions in the intelligence agency and military. Vahidi reportedly led the IRGC’s elite Quds Force from 1988 to 1997.

Jul 5, 2026 03:51 PM IST
IRGC chief Vahidi attends funeral

Revolutionary Guard chief Brigadier-General Ahmad Vahidi was among high-profile Iranians who attended the funeral prayers for the late Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Vahidi is a key member of the IRGC from its earliest days in the late 1970s. Vahidi rose through the ranks during the 1980s, holding key positions in the intelligence agency and military. Vahidi reportedly led the IRGC’s elite Quds Force from 1988 to 1997.

Jul 5, 2026 03:17 PM IST
'A test for Iran's theocracy'

The funeral will serve as a test for Iran’s battered theocracy and its ability to summon a mass show of support, particularly as the funeral comes six months after security forces’ crackdown on nationwide protests against Khamenei’s rule.

An uneasy ceasefire period, capped by an interim deal with the United States, likely gave authorities the confidence to hold the ceremony and have top officials appear. Israel throughout the war killed senior leaders, in at least one case using public appearances to track them.

AP

Jul 5, 2026 01:46 PM IST
Mehbooba Mufti backs Iran, says ‘We will always stand with you’ after Khamenei funeral visit

After attending the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, Jammu and Kashmir’s former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said she was leaving Tehran with thoughts of its "brave leadership" and "resilient people" during a time of "profound loss and grief." In a post on X, she reaffirmed her support for Iran, saying, "We will always stand with you," and thanked the Iranian government for its warm hospitality, calling it an honour to have visited the country.

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Jul 5, 2026 12:02 PM IST
Performer calls for Trump's death at funeral for Iran's late supreme leader Tehran

A performer at the funeral for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for the death of US President Donald Trump before a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people Sunday in the capital, Tehran.

The comment represents the first, direct call for Trump's death by an emcee at the funeral, which has seen posters and graffiti calling for the killing of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. That's been a hard-line demand even as Tehran negotiates with the US over a permanent end to the war that's disrupted global energy supplies.

Jul 5, 2026 11:51 AM IST
Photos: Iran holds funeral prayers for Khamenei and family members

Jul 5, 2026 11:31 AM IST
View of the streets around Tehran Prayer Hall

Streets surrounding the Tehran Prayer Hall, in a photo shared by Tasnim news agency on X.

Jul 5, 2026 11:25 AM IST
Prayer held for Khamenei’s 14-month-old granddaughter

Prayers were also held today for four members of Khamenei's family killed alongside him in the February 28 US-Israeli strike, including his 14-month-old granddaughter, Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani. Tasnim news agency shared footage showing her small coffin laid next to her grandfather's during the ceremony. Her father, Mohammad Javad Mohammadi Golpayegani, attended the prayers; her mother, Boshra Khamenei, died in the same strike.

Jul 5, 2026 11:14 AM IST
Funeral prayers begin for Khamenei before crowd of hundreds of thousands in Tehran

The funeral prayer for the late supreme leader has begun before a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people in Tehran.

Jul 5, 2026 11:11 AM IST
Key developments

Mourners call for revenge: Some attendees at Khamenei's funeral expressed anger and sadness on the ground in Tehran, as millions are expected to attend the multi-day event
Mystery surrounds new leader: Khamenei's son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei has yet to make a public appearance, fuelling doubts about his health and questions over who is actually leading the nation
Security threats: Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned against any attempts to target the country in the coming days, while Trump said the US is giving Iran "a week off" for the funeral
Strait of Hormuz disruption: Tracking data shows at least eight ships U-turned after attempting to use the strait on Saturday, instead hugging the Omani coast underscoring ongoing difficulties in the critical waterway
Wider mourning: The scale of grief on display, including senior officials seen crying, reflects the tension between public displays of loyalty and Iran's uncertain political transition

Jul 5, 2026 11:06 AM IST
Khamenei’s sons seen at funeral

The Associated Press reports that Khamenei's sons Masoud, Meysam and Mostafa attended prayers for the late supreme leader, along with IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi. As previously reported, his son and successor Mojtaba stayed away from the ceremony due to security concerns amid an Israeli threat against his life.

Jul 5, 2026 10:55 AM IST
Watch: More on funeral prayers for Khamenei

The IRNA news agency is reporting that Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, one of Iran’s most senior religious figures, lead the prayers for the slain Khamenei and four members of his family.

Attendees included President Masoud Pezeshkian and Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibag and Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.

The commander of IRGC’s Quds Force Esmail Qaani also took part.

Jul 5, 2026 10:12 AM IST
Around 15 million expected to take part in funeral ceremonies, Iran's Health Ministry says

Iran's Health Ministry expects around 15 million people to attend funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the next two to three days, according to semi-official Tasnim News Agency, though it didn't disclose how the estimate was calculated. Preparations have been underway for a month, with temporary hospitals set up near Tehran's Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla where Khamenei's coffin and those of several family members are laid out and medical teams on full standby. Additional ceremonies are also planned in Qom and Mashhad.

Meanwhile, the Tehran Municipality said more than 2.2 million people used the city's metro system between 5:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time Saturday, per semi-official Fars News Agency.

Jul 5, 2026 10:06 AM IST
Iranian embassy to Trump: ‘People can be killed, but ideals cannot’

Iran’s embassy in Armenia has responded to Trump’s comments to the Axios news outlet, in which he said no shots would be fired during the multiday funeral for Khamenei.

The US president told Axios he could “eliminate everyone” attending the event but said that then “there will be no one left to negotiate”. He also expressed surprise at Iranians crying at the funeral, saying he thought people hated Khamenei.

In response, Iran’s embassy in Yerevan said on X:

“People can be killed, but ideals cannot. You killed Ayatollah Khamenei, but in reality, you broke a perfume bottle whose scent spread everyplace. You don’t understand these things because you have neither civilization, nor history, nor honor.”

Jul 5, 2026 09:58 AM IST
Funeral prayers for Khamenei set to take place in Tehran

The Tasnim news agency is reporting that funeral prayers for Khamenei and four members of his family will be held in Tehran this morning.

The prayers will take place at the Imam Khomeini Grand Musalla, where the body of the former leader has been lying in state since Saturday for public mourning and official farewell ceremonies.

According to Tasnim, “the capacity of the main courtyard of Mosalla was filled hours before the start of the congregational prayer”.

Jul 5, 2026 09:51 AM IST
What all has happened so far

Huge crowds poured into Tehran for funeral ceremonies for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, killed in a US-Israeli strike on his compound on February 28
Mourners visited Khamenei's coffin at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, with some chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel"
President Trump said "neither side will shoot the other" during the funeral proceedings, and that talks with Iran will resume once ceremonies conclude
Israeli forces continued attacks on Lebanon, killing at least one person in the south of the country

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