- Iran has commenced several days of public mourning and mass funeral rites for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, its former Supreme Leader, who was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes in February.
- Officials anticipate up to 20 million mourners for the funeral in Tehran, viewing the large public turnout as a "referendum" for the Islamic Republic.
- Funeral events are scheduled to begin in Tehran over the weekend, followed by mass processions in Qom and Masshad next week, and further ceremonies in Iraq.
- Ayatollah Mohammad Saidi, Qom's Friday prayer leader, stated that the significant public attendance at the funeral procession would serve as another referendum for the Islamic Republic.
- Iran has issued a warning to Donald Trump and Israel against launching any strikes during the state funeral, with Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, cautioning against "miscalculation" and threatening harsh retaliation.
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