Jakarta, ThedailyID — Iran has warned the United States and Israel against launching any military attack during the funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowing a strong response to any aggression.
Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said Tehran would retaliate if either country carried out an attack while the funeral events were underway.
“We warn Iran’s enemies, especially the United States and the Zionist regime, not to make any miscalculation,” Abdollahi said on Thursday, according to Reuters. He added that Iran’s armed forces would respond firmly to any threat or act of aggression.
Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike in late February. Iranian authorities postponed his funeral while fighting continued between the two sides.
Although a ceasefire is now in place, Iran and the United States continue diplomatic efforts to negotiate a lasting end to the conflict.
Funeral ceremonies will begin on July 4 and conclude on July 9. Officials will place Khamenei’s body at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque on July 4 and 5, allowing mourners to pay their final respects.
Tehran will host the main funeral procession on July 6. Ceremonies will then continue in Qom on July 7, followed by events in the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on July 8.
The final stage of the state funeral will take place in Mashhad on July 9.
Iranian officials expect representatives from around 100 countries to attend the ceremonies, including delegations from Pakistan and Russia.
