Day News Recap: Iran mourning deepens as regional tensions rise and Trump steps up diplomacy

Iran’s public mourning for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dominated the day, with huge crowds gathering in Tehran for the second day of ceremonies and authorities saying the six day programme will continue across the country. Senior officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Revolutionary Guards chief Ahmad Vahidi, attended, while reports said Khamenei’s son Mojtaba stayed away.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

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The funeral events were also marked by sharp anti American rhetoric, after a eulogist at the Tehran ceremony called for the death of US President Donald Trump. The remarks came as tensions remained high around Iran’s leadership transition and its confrontation with Washington.  🔗

Across the Gulf, Iran signalled new service fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with special treatment promised for China and other friendly countries, while a marine engineer reported seeing missiles streak across the sky near the Fujairah anchorage. Ireland’s foreign minister Helen McEntee is meanwhile heading to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for stability talks after the Strait of Hormuz crisis.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Regional diplomacy was also active on the wider Middle East front. Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Israel not to derail a US Iran deal, while Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun urged Washington to stay beside Beirut after a landmark framework agreement with Israel mediated by the United States. Donald Trump also said Benjamin Netanyahu had requested a White House meeting as tensions persist.  🔗  🔗  🔗

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In Gaza, a leaked photograph of a Palestinian detainee blindfolded, stripped to his underwear and severely restrained prompted anguish and an inquiry, while the detained director of Kamal Adwan Hospital was reported to be in life threatening condition after more than 555 days in Israeli prison. Gaza health officials said hospitals received 16 bodies over 48 hours amid continued ceasefire violations.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Elsewhere in conflict zones, the Malian army said it repelled coordinated attacks on five positions across the country, with fighting reported in the north, centre and south and militant deaths claimed. In Europe and the wider security sphere, Russia extended petrol export bans as Ukrainian strikes on refineries deepened fuel shortages, and China and Russia began annual joint naval drills off Qingdao.  🔗  🔗  🔗

On the diplomatic front, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is due to begin a six nation tour taking in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, while reporting also highlighted how India US defence ties have moved to a new level, from Cold War mistrust to deeper cooperation.  🔗  🔗

In Asia Pacific security, North Korea said Kim Jong Un supervised weapons tests aboard the repaired 5,000 ton destroyer Kang Kon, and Guam plus the Northern Mariana Islands ordered emergency evacuations as Super Typhoon Bavi approached the US Pacific territories.  🔗  🔗

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In Washington, Trump used Truth Social to post about July 4 celebrations, banners at the White House and his speech plans, while also attacking Europe in a separate post.  🔗  🔗  🔗

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