Iran’s military chief vows revenge at Khamenei funeral as processions begin

As Iran began seven days of state funeral ceremonies for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday, the commander-in-chief of Iran's armed forces pledged to avenge his death, while a top general warned adversaries against any "miscalculation" during the processions.

Revenge Pledges at the Funeral

Major General Amir Hatami, Iran's armed forces commander-in-chief, declared on the sidelines of the funeral in Tehran that Iran would retaliate against the United States and Israel for killing Khamenei in the airstrike that launched the war on February 28. "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," Hatami said, according to AzerNews.azernews

Separately, Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, issued a warning ahead of the ceremonies. "We warn the enemies of the strong Iran, especially the United States, the Zionist regime and their regional and extra-regional accomplices, to avoid any miscalculation," Abdollahi said, adding that Iran's adversaries should consider the "harsh and regretful reactions" the armed forces would deliver in response to any threat.presstv+2

Funeral Processions Begin Under Tense Ceasefire

Khamenei's body lay in state in a vast hall in Tehran on Friday as scholars, officials, and foreign dignitaries from more than 100 countries paid their respects, according to Al Jazeera. Public viewing is scheduled to begin Saturday, with processions continuing through Tehran and the seminary city of Qom before moving into Iraq's shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala. Khamenei is to be buried on July 9 at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad. Officials said they expect up to 20 million people to participate in the events.time+4

Strait of Hormuz Tensions Persist

The funeral rhetoric comes amid ongoing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. On Thursday, Iran's joint military command warned that all oil tankers must use its approved routes or face "an immediate and forceful response," according to the Associated Press. The statement also warned that any US intervention would be regarded as a challenge to Iran's sovereignty and would "provoke a swift and decisive response".spectrumlocalnews+1

The threats underscore the fragility of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in June, which stipulates the gradual restoration of commercial shipping through the strait. Recent exchanges of strikes between US and Iranian forces near the waterway have already strained the agreement.cnn