Central Iraqi city, spiritual and political hub
A passenger bus crashed and burst into flames in Thi Qar province, southern Iraq, killing 21 and injuring 20. Officials say poor road conditions and a shortage of ambulances contributed to the death toll. Iranian nationals are among the dead; several bodies burned beyond recognition.
Authorities have mobilised for a three-day state funeral for Ali Khamenei, with millions expected to attend. Tehran lies in a hush as shops close and airspace tightens. The funeral will travel to Najaf, Karbala and Mashhad, with a Saudi-led war context looming over the proceedings.
Iran is coordinating a multi-city funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Mojtaba Khamenei absent from public view. State media show three sons near the coffins as crowds gather, while officials plan mass processions to Qom, Najaf, Karbala and Mashhad amid a fragile ceasefire and renewed tensions with the US and Israel.
Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies unfold across Mashhad, Tehran and beyond as Iran’s leadership figures gather for a six‑day event. Mojtaba Khamenei remains absent, fueling questions about his health and authority as regional leaders project unity amid ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.
The US and Iran have exchanged fresh strikes this weekend and on Monday, reversing a recent interim ceasefire and re‑opening doubt over control of the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire "over," ordered further strikes and revoked a temporary oil waiver. Oil has jumped into the high $70s–$80s and global markets have fallen.
The United States has intensified strikes on Iranian targets to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has responded with missile and drone actions. Attacks target coastal bases, railways, and port facilities across Iran and nearby states, signaling a rapid intensification of a wider confrontation.
Khamenei’s coffin nears final burial after a week of funeral ceremonies spanning Iran and Iraq. Najaf and Karbala host large processions; Iran’s deadly regional posture and ties with Iraq underscore the regional flare. The burial will conclude in Mashhad.
Iran has engaged in talks with Oman and Turkey on Hormuz tensions. Officials report Israel’s strikes on Gaza and Lebanon continue, amid condemnations and calls for accountability. Qatar urges diplomacy as US-Iran tensions persist; Amnesty International accuses Israel of targeting civilians in Lebanon, prompting international scrutiny.
Khamenei’s burial in Mashhad closes a week of state-led mourning and public displays amid renewed clashes between the US and Iran. Mojtaba Khamenei remains out of public view after his father’s death, and security measures center on limiting exposure as regional tensions intensify.
The United States has launched a wave of strikes on Iran after attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliates by targeting US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. Oil prices have risen amid renewed fighting, and talks toward a ceasefire appear fragile as both sides accuse the other of violations.
Iraq’s prime minister travels to Washington to deepen economic ties as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and fighting between the US and Iran intensifies. Oil output, IMF talks, and potential US investment are on the table while Iran-backed groups push back against disarmament. Diplomatic prospects hinge on stabilizing energy flows and expanding state control over weapons.
The Iraqi prime minister-designate has arrived in Washington as Washington pressures Baghdad to disarm Iran-backed militias and curb corruption. The visit centers on expanding economic ties, attracting investment, and reinforcing state control, amid Tehran’s influence and security challenges.
Airstrikes by US and Saudi forces hit PMF sites in Iraq after attacks on Saudi facilities, while Iran-backed groups and regional rivalries threaten Iraq’s new prime minister’s plan to disarm militias and anchor the state. The broader Strait of Hormuz dynamics and Yemen’s Houthis add layers to the conflict, risking wider regional instability.
More than 4.88 million pilgrims have entered Iraq for Arbaeen, with Iranian officials and pilgrims prominent on the Najaf–Karbala corridor. The event highlights Iraq’s delicate balancing act between regional powers as it grapples with economic stress and security concerns ahead of disarming militias.