Iran Reports 14 Dead in US Strikes as Train Service Suspended Ahead of Khamenei Burial

Hours before the burial of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Mashhad, Iran's Health Ministry reported that 14 people were killed in recent US airstrikes. The Iranian military stated that among the dead were eight members of the air and naval forces, killed during attacks on Bandar Abbas and Bushehr in southern Iran. Iranian state television cited the national railway company announcing the suspension of passenger train service between Tehran and Mashhad following an early morning attack allegedly carried out by the US and Israel targeting a railway section on this route. The railway company said technical teams are repairing the damage and have arranged bus transportation for passengers to Mashhad, urging travelers to monitor updates through the railway service center.

The US Central Command claimed about 90 military sites along Iran's coast were targeted to disrupt Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the burial ceremony for former Supreme Leader Khamenei is scheduled to begin at 14:00 local time in Mashhad, according to Iranian state media.

US President Donald Trump stated that Iran recently contacted Washington seeking a deal, emphasizing that the US strikes were a much broader response to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said, "They called recently," adding, "They want to make a deal." He described the US strikes as a strong retaliation to Iranian aggression, saying, "We hit them very hard. When they attacked, we responded with even greater force."