Iranian negotiators have left Doha as Tehran pauses diplomacy ahead of multi-day funeral proceedings for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Qatar said US–Iran talks via intermediaries made “positive progress” despite the pause. Iran has urged mass turnout for the funeral, with President Masoud Pezeshkian calling for large participation, while military officials warned the US and Israel against strikes during the ceremonies. The funeral in Tehran is expected to draw millions. Separately, Iran issued a fresh warning in the Strait of Hormuz, telling vessels to follow Tehran-designated routes amid rising tensions. Follow our live updates:06:57 AM, 4 July 2026We are closing this coverage now. For the latest updates, click here.12:08 AM, 4 July 2026Saudi delegation joins Khamenei's funeral in TehranThe funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Friday was attended by senior Iranian officials and foreign delegations, including representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman. Officials paid respects before his coffin at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, four months after he was assassinated in US-Israeli strikes that triggered a wider Middle East war. The six-day funeral procession began with an official Iranian delegation led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei.Military commanders also paid tribute, including Ahmad Vahidi, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, who had not appeared publicly since the start of the US-Israeli war in February, according to footage carried by Iranian media. A Saudi Foreign Ministry delegation joined representatives from Qatar, Egypt and Oman in paying respects.10:54 PM, 3 July 2026Omani delegation attends Khamenei's funeral in TehranOmani delegation attends Khamenei's funeral in Tehran, sent by the Sultan to convey his condolences to Iran's leadership, Oman News Agency shared on X.10:49 PM, 3 July 2026Over 600,000 displaced Lebanese return home amid ceasefireMore than 640,000 displaced people in Lebanon have returned home, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as clashes between Hezbollah and Israel have wound down following a deal to end the Middle East war.Lebanon was drawn into the regional war on March 2 when Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes.Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and an invasion of southern Lebanon, where its troops still occupy swathes of territory.Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks have killed around 4,300 people and displaced over one million, particularly from southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs.10:46 PM, 3 July 2026Hundreds gather at Khamenei funeral siteSeveral hundred people were already waiting on Friday evening outside the venue for the funeral of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei ahead of its opening to the public the next morning, according to AFP journalists.Khamenei will lie in state at the Grand Mosalla religious complex in Tehran until Monday, with doors scheduled to open at 6:00 am local time (0230 GMT). AFP journalists at the scene also saw a significant security presence and roadblocks on surrounding streets.10:44 PM, 3 July 2026Netanyahu, Trump agree to meet in US 'soon'Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump spoke on Friday and agreed to meet "soon" in the United States, the premier's office said.The conversation comes after the United States and Israel fought alongside each other in their military campaign against Iran, and also follows reports of tensions between the two leaders over efforts to end the war."The Prime Minister said in their conversation that the US is a guarantor of global freedom, and Israel greatly appreciates the close ties between nations," a statement from Netanyahu's office said.10:42 PM, 3 July 2026India pays respects at Khamenei's funeralMinister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retired), paid their tributes representing India at the funeral ceremony of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in Tehran."Governor of Bihar Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain and I represented India at the funeral ceremony for Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, former Supreme Leader of Iran, in Tehran. Conveyed our respects on behalf of the government and the people of India," MoS Margherita wrote on social media platform X.10:42 PM, 3 July 2026Yemen's Houthis threaten Saudi after alleged airspace intrusion: spokesmanYemen's Iran-backed Houthis on Friday threatened Saudi Arabia's airports and vital assets should Riyadh violate its airspace or attempt to attack it, as the rebels accused the kingdom of an earlier airspace intrusion."We warn the criminal Saudi enemy against repeating any attempt to violate our airspace or any aggression targeting our country," military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a video statement."Such actions will be met with a comprehensive response targeting its airports and vital interests on land and sea."Saree said the rebels had thwarted an attempt by Saudi warplanes to infiltrate their airspace at 5:20 am (0220 GMT) in a bid "to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft carrying more than 200 stranded, wounded, and sick citizens from landing at Sanaa International Airport".08:05 PM, 3 July 2026Israel military says struck Hezbollah positions in south LebanonIsrael's military said Friday it had struck several Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon a day earlier in response to attacks on its troops in the area.Israel and Lebanon signed a US-sponsored framework agreement last week to pave the way for peace between the two countries and disarm Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.Israeli officials have repeatedly ruled out withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon, maintaining that any withdrawal would happen only after Hezbollah has been disarmed across Lebanon."The IDF struck approximately 10 Hezbollah infrastructure sites and a truck used to transfer weapons in southern Lebanon," the military said in a statement.07:17 PM, 3 July 2026Iran leaders pay last respects to Khamenei as mourners gatherTop Iranian officials on Friday paid their final respects to the country's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the start of a week of funeral ceremonies, with allies and mourners converging on Tehran where his body is lying in state.Authorities expect public mourning and grand processions to attract millions before Khamenei's burial next week, four months after he was killed aged 86 at his compound in the opening US-Israeli salvo of the Middle East war. AFP images showed mourners carrying his coffin aloft at the vast Grand Mosalla religious complex in the Iranian capital, with the casket draped in the colours of the Islamic republic that he led for more than three decades.State TV broadcast footage of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian paying his respects at Khamenei's coffin on Friday afternoon, alongside parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.Ahmad Vahidi, head of the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the military, also made his first appearance since the start of the war in February. 04:53 PM, 3 July 2026In Photos04:49 PM, 3 July 2026Afghan FM pays respects to KhameneiAfghanistan's foreign minister in the Taliban government paid his respects on Friday at the coffin of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iranian state television showed.Amir Khan Muttaqi's tribute came just hours after that of Ahmad Massoud, the head of a key anti-Taliban group, whose father was backed by Iran in the 1990s.04:48 PM, 3 July 2026Pakistani PM pays respects at Khamenei coffinPakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid his respects at the coffin of late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Friday, state TV footage showed.Sharif, whose country has been mediating US-Iran talks to permanently end their conflict, was accompanied by army chief Asim Munir and a delegation as they visited the coffin.03:33 PM, 3 July 2026Iranian leaders pay respects ahead of funeralIranian leaders began paying their respects on Friday before the coffin of the country's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war, as Tehran prepared for a vast funeral.Khamenei's body arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on Friday ahead of ceremonies which are expected to draw millions.A coterie of foreign dignitaries is also due to attend Saturday's official ceremony, with Tehran's chief negotiator calling for a massive turnout to avenge his death.03:22 PM, 3 July 2026Iran president pays respects at Khamenei's remainsIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday paid his respects at the remains of slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei, alongside other officials including the country's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.State television showed Pezeshkian praying at Khamenei's coffin, where a black turban had been placed, which is worn by clerics to signify descent from the Prophet Mohammed. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.02:18 PM, 3 July 2026Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir arrives in Tehran Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has arrived in Iran’s capital Tehran to attend the funeral of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.He was received by Iran’s Defence Minister Majid Ibn Reza and Interior Minister Eskander Momeni, according to reports.Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also travelled to Tehran directly after an official visit to Saudi Arabia to join the funeral proceedings.Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Tehran on a one-day visit, leading a high-level delegation that includes senior government officials to attend the ceremony.01:05 PM, 3 July 2026Iran warns US and Israel over deal compliance: Speaker