09.07.2026 11:50
The US targeted the critical railway line providing access to the region ahead of the funeral ceremony to be held today in Mashhad for Iran's former religious leader Ali Khamenei, who passed away on February 28. After an airstrike on the route that would carry the body, services were suspended and passengers were transported by road.
A hot development further escalating tensions in the Middle East occurred before the funeral of Iran's former leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US attack. The strategic railway line providing train transportation between Tehran and Mashhad was struck by the US.
SERVICES SUSPENDED
According to official statements by Iran's State Television and Iranian Railways, services were temporarily suspended after a "criminal attack by the US-Israeli enemy" on the railway line.
DELAY POSSIBLE IN CEREMONY
Following the attack, railway authorities dispatched emergency response teams to the area to repair the heavy damage to the line. Bus transportation arrangements by road were initiated for stranded passengers and citizens planning to attend the ceremony.
KHAMENEI'S FUNERAL IN MASHHAD
After the US attack, Khamenei's body, which was to be transported to Mashhad by train, was delivered to the city by air.
MOJTABA KHAMENEI MAY APPEAR BEFORE THE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME
It is claimed that Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since the attacks that began on February 28, may appear before the public and the press for the first time at his father Ali Khamenei's funeral in Mashhad.
SEA OF PEOPLE AT THE CEREMONY IN NAJAF
The bodies of Khamenei and his family members who died were paraded at the shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf, Iraq on Wednesday. Thousands attended the funeral ceremony, where anti-US and anti-Israel slogans were chanted.
Khamenei's body was brought to Najaf International Airport yesterday. The body was received by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi, other state officials, and representatives of political parties.
IRANIANS COULD NOT HOLD BACK TEARS AT CEREMONY IN QOM
According to Iran's official news agency IRNA, a large funeral ceremony was held for Khamenei in Qom on Tuesday, July 7. Millions of attendees completely filled the road between Jamkaran Mosque and the Shrine of Fatima Masumeh.
Frequent anti-US and anti-Israel slogans were chanted during the ceremony, and many Iranians were seen shedding tears when Khamenei's body and that of his family were brought to the area.
The funeral prayer for Khamenei was led by Ayatollah Javadi Amoli.
FIRST CEREMONY WAS HELD IN TEHRAN
The official state ceremony for Ali Khamenei was held on Friday, July 3 at the Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Grounds in Tehran, with participation from heads of state and parliament, foreign ministers, and special representatives of governments from approximately 100 countries.
The public farewell ceremony was held on Saturday at the Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Grounds, and the funeral prayer was performed at the same location on Sunday. After the final ceremony in Tehran, Khamenei's body was brought to the city of Qom.
"DEATH" SLOGANS TO USA AND ISRAEL IN KARBALA
A funeral ceremony was held in Karbala, Iraq for Iran's former leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who lost his life in the US-Israeli attack.
Thousands gathered in Karbala to attend Khamenei's funeral. It was reported that the vehicle carrying his body had difficulty advancing due to the dense crowd.
Attendees at the funeral chanted "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" slogans.
Khamenei's body will also be paraded at the shrines of Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussein and Hazrat Abbas in Karbala, where a funeral prayer will be held.