🛡️ KATZ SAYS ISRAEL MUST BE READY TO ACT IN IRAN AS REPORT DETAILS ALLEGED U.S. CONCERNS OVER POSSIBLE STRIKES ON IRANIAN NEGOTIATORS; IRAN HOLDS KHAMENEI FUNERAL
🛡️ KATZ: ISRAEL MUST BE READY TO OPERATE IN IRAN INDEPENDENTLY: Defense Minister Israel Katz said, "The IDF must be prepared to conduct an independent, Israeli operation in Iran at any time it is required."
🛰️ NYT: U.S. FEARED POSSIBLE ISRAELI STRIKES ON IRANIAN NEGOTIATORS: According to The New York Times, citing current and former U.S. officials, Washington believed Israel may have planned to assassinate senior Iranian negotiators during sensitive Washington-Tehran interim peace talks this spring, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf.
Concerned such an operation could derail the negotiations and reignite the war, U.S. officials reportedly requested several regional countries warn Iran about the potential threat. After receiving intelligence of a possible Israeli attack, Iran reportedly implemented extensive security measures for its delegation, including military escorts and changes to travel plans.
🇮🇷 IRAN HOLDS KHAMENEI FUNERAL CEREMONIES: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced that representatives from approximately 100 countries are attending the funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, including at least eight heads of state and parliamentary leaders from 12 countries, according to Tasnim.
Baghaei said high-ranking delegations, foreign ministers, and parliamentary representatives from Eastern Europe are attending, while European countries that had taken what he described as "an official stance in support of the military aggression by the Zionist regime and the United States" were not invited.
Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, the Iranian Supreme Leader's representative in India, said Mojtaba Khamenei is unlikely to attend his father's funeral due to security concerns. He said Mojtaba Khamenei wishes to lead the funeral prayers, but security officials determined it would be too dangerous.
The body of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has arrived at the farewell ceremony near Imam Khomeini's Hussainiyah.
🛬 REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL DELEGATIONS ATTEND: The Pakistani Interior Minister has arrived in Tehran for the funeral procession and was welcomed by his Iranian counterpart, according to Tasnim. High-level Pakistani delegations, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior military officials, are also scheduled to attend the official memorial ceremonies.
China is represented by He Wei, a deputy of the National People's Congress. The President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Nechirvan Barzani, has also arrived in Tehran. Hezbollah representatives, along with members of the family of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, are attending the ceremonies.
⚓ GHALIBAF DISCUSSES HORMUZ AND U.S.-IRAN TALKS: During a meeting with Chinese envoy He Wei, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf said Iran "will not allow any American interference in the Strait of Hormuz" and has "addressed the issues for Chinese vessels" transiting the chokepoint.
Ghalibaf said a recent diplomatic visit to Oman resulted in a bilateral agreement under "Article Five" to organize maritime traffic procedures and that Tehran will actively consult with neighboring Persian Gulf states.
He criticized what he called global U.S. "unilateralism," asserted that "Israel is attempting to disrupt the agreement between Iran and the United States," and stated, "Israelis are seeking to sabotage the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US. Our deterrent capabilities in the region will prevent the Israelis from resuming the war."
Chinese envoy He Wei offered Beijing's condolences over Khamenei's death and noted the 55th anniversary of Iran-China diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
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