Peace Talks Halted as Iran Prepares for Prolonged Funeral of Slain Supreme Leader
The casket of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla early Friday, marking the start of an unprecedented six-day funeral expected to draw up to 20 million mourners. Foreign dignitaries, including the presidents of Iraq, Georgia, Tajikistan, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have begun paying respects in the capital's main prayer hall.
Khamenei, 86, was killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike on Feb. 28, the opening day of the war. His body will lie in state in Tehran through July 6, then be transported to the holy city of Qom, followed by Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, and finally to Mashhad for burial on July 9. Iran has announced airspace closures over Tehran for the duration of the ceremonies.
Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, the head of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard who had been in hiding since before the war, made a rare public appearance Thursday night, sitting beside Khamenei's casket during a private service. On Friday, Vahidi delivered a defiant speech, warning Iran's enemies they will “take to your grave the dream of seeing this nation surrender.” He is believed to be part of an inner circle advising Khamenei's son and successor, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who remains in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the same strike that killed his father.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also paid their respects Friday, with Ghalibaf calling for a “glorious page in history” and a national call for vengeance that must “ring in the ears of the whole world.” The commander-in-chief of Iran's Army, Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami, vowed to “avenge the blood” of the slain leader, saying the martyrdom has only strengthened Iran's resolve.
The funeral has forced a pause in the fragile U.S.-Iran peace talks, which resumed briefly in Doha this week for only the second time since a June 17 memorandum of understanding extended a ceasefire. Qatari and Pakistani mediators said the next meeting will be scheduled “at the earliest possible time” after the funeral ceremonies conclude. President Trump described the Doha talks as “positive” and claimed “the denuclearization of Iran is moving along well,” though analysts say the toughest issues — including Iran's nuclear enrichment program and control of the Strait of Hormuz — have barely been touched.
The MoU gives both sides 60 days to negotiate a final deal, but experts widely expect an extension. “Many of us expect there will be extensions after the initial 60-day period,” said Robert Murrett, a former U.S. Navy vice-admiral. Key sticking points include Iran's demand to retain some enrichment capacity and its push for formal recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, where it has threatened to impose tolls on commercial vessels. The U.S. insists on complete freedom of navigation.
Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the U.S. military presence in the region, questioning whether CENTCOM brings security or insecurity. His comments came as marine traffic through the strait has partly recovered from wartime lows, though daily transits remain far below pre-war levels.
The funeral, one of the largest state ceremonies in Iran's history, underscores the deep public grief and nationalist fervor in the wake of Khamenei's death. Representatives from about 30 countries are expected to attend, while Taliban-led Afghanistan's foreign minister and leaders from across the region have already paid tribute.
As the world watches the funeral proceedings, the clock is ticking on the 60-day negotiating window. With Iran's leadership in mourning and its military commanders vowing revenge, the path to a permanent peace remains uncertain.