Iran’s Supreme Leader Killed in First Day of War; 15–20 Million Expected at Funeral as US and Iran Hold Secret Talks
Iran is preparing for the grand funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at age 86 in US-Israeli air strikes on his compound in Tehran on the first day of the US-Iran war, while US and Iranian negotiators hold indirect talks in Qatar under a fragile ceasefire.
Giant portraits of the late supreme leader now hang from Tehran’s Grand Mosalla as workers rush to prepare for his funeral, initially delayed at the height of the conflict [186112]. The ceremonies are set to begin on Saturday and are expected to draw between 15 and 20 million mourners [186348]. Khamenei was a spiritual figure for many Shia Muslims worldwide [186112].
The funeral comes as Iran and the United States observe a fragile ceasefire after signing a preliminary deal to halt the fighting [186112]. Negotiators from both sides are meeting in Qatar this week for indirect talks, shortly after both sides traded military attacks [186269]. US President Donald Trump announced that Iran has agreed to hold peace talks in Doha following a weekend exchange of fire in the Strait of Hormuz [185167].
During negotiations in Switzerland last week, the US delegation and Iran established a "hotline"—a direct communication line—between the US military and Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps to coordinate ship traffic in the strait [185688]. Ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has increased, signaling a cautious return to normal commerce, though officials say Tehran and Washington remain far apart on key issues and no breakthrough is expected soon [186269].