Iran Warns Israel and US Against Miscalculations Ahead of Khamenei Funeral

As Iran prepares for the multi-day funeral of Ali Khamenei starting Friday in Iran and Iraq, the Iranian joint operations command "Khatam al-Anbiya" issued a stern warning to the United States, Israel, and their allies against any "miscalculation." Iranian officials fear that Israel and the US might exploit the presence of senior figures at the funeral, many unseen publicly since the war began, to carry out targeted strikes or assassinations. Commander Ali Abdollahi declared that Iran would respond with "severe and regret-inducing" measures to any threats or attacks against the country. Abdollahi also praised Khamenei, killed in US and Israeli airstrikes during the opening of Operation "Tiger Roar," for elevating the Islamic Republic's deterrence capabilities to their peak.

In preparation, the Iranian military has reinforced units along land and sea borders and significantly increased maritime surveillance and air defense monitoring, according to a military spokesperson. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described Khamenei's death as the start of a "new chapter of national unity," emphasizing that the public's presence at the funeral would be a decisive response to "terror and bullying."

Diplomatically, Iran is seeking international legitimacy by hosting foreign delegations at the funeral. Notably, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, acting as a key mediator between the US and Iran, will attend in person. China and India have also announced they will send official representatives to participate in the memorial events.