Iran begins dayslong funeral for Supreme Leader Khamenei
Iran has commenced a multi-day funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a February airstrike during the ongoing Iran war. Hundreds of thousands gathered at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on July 4, with millions expected to participate across processions in Qom, Najaf, and Karbala before burial in Mashhad. The ceremony serves as a major political moment for the regime, which is using the event to project stability and power. Khamenei's son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has been named as the new Supreme Leader.
Russia launched its largest attack on Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began, firing 74 missiles and 496 drones in an 11-hour barrage that killed at least 31 people and injured over 100. All districts of Kyiv were hit, with over 30 locations damaged including residential buildings, an ambulance station, and energy infrastructure. Russia's Defense Ministry said the attack was retaliation for Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil facilities. Kyiv declared July 3 a day of mourning as search and rescue operations concluded.