IRAN WAR: Millions expected to attend Ali Khamenei funeral

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Millions of mourners are expected over the next week to gather for funeral ceremonies and processions for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei was killed on Feb. 28 by an airstrike on the very first day of the Iran war, which has now lasted 125 days.

The late supreme leader’s body, along with those of several family members, will lie in state this weekend for public funeral ceremonies in Tehran. Religious rites are planned in cities across Iran and Iraq

Major-General Amir Hatami, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s armed forces, has vowed revenge against the United States and Israel for killing Khamenei.

Ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Iran on ending the war are paused until the mourning period for Khamenei ends.

Here’s the latest on the Iran war for Friday:

Trump claims Iran’s economy, military severely weakened

U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected suggestions that Iran had emerged stronger despite the conflict, claiming both the country’s economy and military had suffered major setbacks.

“They have 300% inflation, they’re making no money,” he said in an interview with CNBC.

“The New York Times said the other day that Iran is in a better position now than it was four months ago,” Trump continued.

“I said, wait a minute, their military is gone. Their inflation is up to 300% from 5%. Their leaders are gone. Their second row of leaders is gone. Some of their third row of leaders are gone. Their generals are mostly wiped out.”

Trump said he hoped the U.S. will eventually supply agricultural products to Iran.

“They need food. They need corn, wheat, and soybeans, and we’re going to have exclusively our American farmers provide that. Assuming we get to the position where we should get to,” he said.

U.S. should respect Iran’s authority over strait : Official

Iran’s deputy speaker of parliament, Hamidreza Haji-Babai, said the U.S. should respect Tehran’s authority over the Strait of Hormuz.

“The Strait of Hormuz is a symbol of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s authority, and the United States must respect the power of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in this strategic waterway,” Haji-Babai told the state-owned IRNA news agency, per CBS News.

The U.S. has repeatedly said Iran will not be allowed to charge tolls for use of the waterway. Oman has said it does not support tolls and began negotiations Monday with Iran about how to handle the administration of the strait going forward.

Iran military leader vows to ‘avenge the blood’ for Khamenei

The commander-in-chief of Iran’s armed forces, Major-General Amir Hatami, has vowed revenge against the U.S. and Israel for killing former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a Feb. 28 air strike that started the war.

The remarks on the sidelines of Khamenei’s funeral in Tehran, per Al Jazeera.

“With a firmer resolve we declare to the enemies of the Iranian nation – America and the criminal Zionist regime – that we will avenge the blood of the martyred leader [Khamenei],” said Hatami.

Millions expected for Khamenei funeral ceremonies

Over the next seven days, millions of mourners are expected to gather for funeral ceremonies and processions for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of air strikes of the Iran war on Feb. 28.

Religious rites are planned in cities across Iran and Iraq, Al Jazeera reported.

Khamenei was originally scheduled to be buried in March, but it was postponed as the Iran war continued.

Among the mourners will be global leaders, senior officials, religious figures and scholars.

Public funeral ceremonies will begin Saturday and Sunday in Tehran. The late leader’s coffin, and those of several family members, will lie in state at the Grand Mosalla.

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