Iran warns US, Israel of retaliation during Khamenei funeral amid leadership consolidation

Iran is preparing funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike on Feb. 28. The state‑run Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters commander Ali Abdollahi warned the United States and Israel to avoid any military action during the funerals, which will begin on July 3 and involve an estimated 10 million mourners across four cities. He said, “We warn the enemies of Iran, especially the U. S. and the Zionist regime (Israel), to avoid any miscalculation and think about the harsh retaliation our armed forces would make to any threat and aggression against our country.”

At the same time, Mojtaba Khamenei urged Iranians to see themselves on a “divine mission” to advance the Islamic Republic’s goals, signalling a push to consolidate his leadership with backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Analysts view the statement as an effort to stabilize his position as Iran’s head of state following the assassination.

These developments underscore heightened domestic rallying and a warning of possible regional escalation if external powers intervene.