Los Angeles readers watch as Iran postpones Khamenei funeral amid US and Israeli strikes
los angeles — Iran has postponed the three-day funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as US and Israeli forces continued intense strikes across the country, an official said. The ceremony had been due to begin at 22: 00 local time (18: 30 GMT) on Wednesday at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla prayer complex.
Funeral delayed as officials cite crowding and infrastructure
Authorities said the decision to delay the ceremony followed “many requests” from people wanting to attend and a need to prepare facilities to host mourners. The head of the Islamic Propaganda Co-ordination Council of Tehran province told Tasnim news agency the ceremony would be postponed until “a more appropriate time. “
Deadly strikes and a naval loss
Iran has responded to the initial wave of US and Israeli strikes by launching missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states with US bases. Kuwait’s health ministry said a girl was killed by shrapnel that fell on a residential area during an Iranian attack.
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said a US submarine sank the Iranian navy frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Sri Lanka, declaring: “[The warship] thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo. Quiet death. ” Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyyakontha said the bodies of 80 people on board the IRIS Dena had been recovered; another 32 people were rescued, and dozens more were missing.
Los Angeles reaction and wider political fallout
The killing of Khamenei came in the first wave of strikes, at his compound in Tehran, where he was killed along with his wife, one of their adult sons, and several top officials. A member of the Assembly of Experts said the clerical body was “close” to choosing a successor.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Larijani criticized the US role, saying the US President had “dragged the American people into an unjust war. ” Hegseth said US and Israeli forces would have total aerial superiority over Iran within days and would “soon” control the country, adding: “This was never meant to be a fair fight, and it is not a fair fight. We are punching them while they’re down. “
The developments have drawn international attention, including in los angeles, as governments and communities monitor unfolding events.
Officials have not set a new date for the funeral. Authorities said the ceremony would be held at a later, more appropriate time, and the Assembly of Experts continues deliberations over a successor to Khamenei.
