WASHINGTON – Technical-level discussions between the United States and Iran are ongoing as both sides look for possible solutions to their disputes, according to US officials.
Foreign media reports said American officials have expressed commitment to resolving outstanding issues with Tehran. US media also reported that Pakistan and Qatar are making efforts as mediators to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table.
The developments come at a time of renewed tensions between the two countries. Reports said US forces carried out attacks on Iran over the past two days, while Iran responded by targeting American military bases in the region.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump, while speaking to media after a meeting with NATO leadership in Ankara, said he did not want to make a deal with Iran and that the ceasefire with Tehran had ended. He also claimed that Iran could have used nuclear weapons if it had possessed them.
Meanwhile, Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, General Ali Abdollahi, said Iranian forces would take revenge for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a statement, General Ali said those responsible would be held accountable and that Iran would respond to what he described as crimes against the country. He added that Iran’s military forces would continue efforts against those responsible.
Funeral Held for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Mashhad
The funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was held in Mashhad, with his burial taking place at the shrine complex of Imam Reza, according to Iranian media reports.
His funeral prayer was led by his elder son, Ayatollah Sayyed Mustafa Khamenei. Iranian media reported that large crowds gathered on the streets of Mashhad to bid farewell.
According to reports, six days of funeral ceremonies were held across Tehran, Qom, Najaf, Karbala and Mashhad, with millions of people participating.
The body was reportedly transported from Najaf to Mashhad, with Iranian Air Force aircraft escorting the plane carrying the remains to Mashhad Airport. Before reaching Iran, the body was also taken to the shrines of Imam Hussain and Hazrat Abbas in Karbala, where funeral prayers were offered.
