Iran Buries Khamenei Amid Escalating US-Iran Attacks

Iran buried its former supreme leader Ali Khamenei more than four months after his killing in an airstrike, as a fresh wave of US and Iranian attacks intensified fears of a return to all-out war. Khamenei's coffin, draped in the Iranian flag, was carried into the shrine of Imam Reza in his hometown of Mashhad, eastern Iran. A large crowd gathered outside, listening to prayers, with no public appearance from his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.

The burial followed a second day of tit-for-tat attacks between Washington and Tehran. Iranian officials reported that US strikes killed 17 people, while state media indicated one strike targeted a railway line between Tehran and Mashhad. The Islamic Republic stated it had resumed attacks on US assets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Sirens were also heard in Jordan, another US ally, where the military reported intercepting eight missiles launched from Iran.

Khamenei, along with close family members, was killed on February 28, the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran. His burial in Mashhad concluded a marathon six-day funeral process. Observers closely watched for any sign of Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed successor but has not appeared publicly since. Present at the shrine were Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, chief justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and Khamenei's eldest son Mostafa Khamenei. State television images showed some senior figures weeping over the coffin.

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The body of the martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution was buried in the memorial hall of the shrine of Imam Reza.

However, Mojtaba Khamenei remained absent, consistent with his previous communications solely through written statements. He is reportedly injured from the February 28 incident. In Mashhad, crowds clad in black, many calling for vengeance against US President Donald Trump, gathered for the burial. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous sources, reported that Israel informed the United States of intelligence detecting a new Iranian plot to assassinate Trump.

Iranian state media reported that the United States struck the perimeter of Iran's only civilian nuclear plant. However, a US defense official stated the US military was not currently conducting strikes in Iran. State media also claimed a projectile hit a military headquarters near Bushehr. Iran's army announced it targeted a Patriot missile system in Kuwait. Israel Katz warned that Israel was prepared to attack Iran a third time if necessary.

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Israel Katz warned that Israel was prepared to attack Iran for a 'third time' if needed