Iran warns U.S., Israel against military action during Khamenei funeral

Iran is preparing for funeral ceremonies for Ali Khamenei beginning July 3 following his death in an airstrike on Feb. 28.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

An Iranian military commander warned the United States and Israel against carrying out military action during the funeral events for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as Iran prepares for ceremonies beginning July 3 following his death in an airstrike on Feb. 28.

“We warn the enemies of Iran, especially the U.S. and the Zionist regime (Israel), to avoid any miscalculation and ⁠to think about the harsh retaliation our armed forces would make to any threat and aggression against our country,” Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said in a statement carried by state media.

The warning comes as Iranian authorities prepare for an estimated 10 million mourners across four cities during funeral events scheduled to continue over several days.

Earlier this week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also warned President Donald Trump that Iran would respond forcefully to any threat against its leadership while accusing the United States of failing to restrain Israel following an exchange of public statements with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

In a post on X, Araghchi responded to remarks attributed to Katz, who reportedly said Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was “marked for death” and accused Iranian officials of using negotiations to secure concessions.

Addressing President Trump directly, Araghchi said the memorandum of understanding brokered through Pakistani mediation defined the commitments of all parties.

“The terms of the Islamabad MoU are crystal clear and public for all to see,” he wrote.

He also argued that Washington bore responsibility for restraining Israel, writing, “POTUS has committed the U.S. to muzzling its pets in Tel Aviv. If they ignore their master, Iran will school them.”