Millions mourn Khamenei as Washington and Tehran brace for next flashpointLast updated: July 05, 2026 | 06:58Gulf News ReportDonald TrumpIranUS-Israel-Iran warMourners attend the start of the dayslong funeral ceremonies for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, on Saturday, July 4, 2026. AP More than 10 million people from over 100 countries are expected in Tehran for the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed alongside family members at the start of the US–Israel war on Iran.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have agreed to meet in the United States.
Separately, Israel has carried out fresh strikes on multiple sites in southern Lebanon, saying it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and fighters, despite last month’s framework agreement aimed at ending hostilities. Follow our live updates:06:58 AM, 5 July 2026We are closing this coverage now. For the latest updates, click here.11:51 PM, 4 July 2026Netanyahu may visit Washington soon, says TrumpIsrael's Benjamin Netanyahu could visit the White House as early as next week, US President Donald Trump told Axios on Saturday, adding that the prime minister "knows who the boss is" in their relationship.The possible meeting comes amid reports of tensions between the two leaders over efforts to end the war against Iran that the US and Israel started in late February."We get along very good. (Netanyahu) knows who the boss is," Trump said in a brief phone interview with Axios, referring to himself.An Israeli official told the US media outlet that next week might be too soon for the visit because Trump will be traveling to Turkey for a NATO summit on July 7-8."It might take place the week after," the official told Axios.Netanyahu's office said the two men spoke on Friday and agreed to meet "soon" in the United States.The two men last met on February 11 in Washington.11:46 PM, 4 July 2026Israeli military says killed armed militant in south LebanonThe Israeli military said on Saturday that it killed an armed militant in the "security zone" under its control in south Lebanon."Earlier today (Saturday), IDF soldiers identified an armed terrorist operating inside the Security Zone, in the Majdal Zoun area in southern Lebanon," the military said in a statement, adding that troops "opened fire at the terrorist" and, after conducting "extensive searches", then "eliminated" him.Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) said an Israeli helicopter carried out "a broad sweep operation on the outskirts" of Majdal Zoun and launched five missiles towards the village, without specifying a target or immediately reporting casualties.The NNA also reported on Saturday that an Israeli strike on the village of Mansouri wounded one person, and reported Israeli artillery shelling elsewhere.11:36 PM, 4 July 2026Iran envoy says friendly nations to get 'special' Hormuz fee treatmentIran's ambassador to China insisted Saturday that new fees would be charged to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz - an idea rejected by Washington - while assuring that "friendly" nations would receive special treatment.The initial deal struck between Iran and the United States to end their war stipulated that commercial ships would transit the strait free of charge for 60 days, but it remains unclear what will be in place after that period.Iranian Ambassador Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli told the World Peace Forum in Beijing that his country was working in "collaboration and cooperation" with Oman on "new arrangements" for the vital waterway."As a country where the Hormuz is part of its territorial waters, we will definitely charge service fees," Azli said in translated remarks, while insisting such fees would not be a "toll.""These new arrangements will be concerning guaranteeing the security of passage through the Straits of Hormuz, supervision of the passage of the vessels... and also guaranteeing and dealing with the environmental consequences of the massive number of ships," he said."We will definitely consider special treatment for the countries that were friendly to us and specially stood by us during the hard times," he added.08:54 PM, 4 July 2026Hezbollah and Hamas representatives attend Khamenei funeral Representatives from Tehran-backed militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas attended the funeral ceremonies of late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday and met with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, state media reported.The Hezbollah delegation included officials and families of killed and wounded members, the group told Lebanese media. It was headed by senior official and former minister Mohammed Fneish.Hamas, meanwhile, said in a statement that its delegation was led by the head of its political bureau, Mohammed Darwish and included other bureau members such as Bassem Naim.06:02 PM, 4 July 2026Lebanese president urges US to 'keep standing' by countryLebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday urged the United States to stand by his country after a recent US-backed framework deal with Israel aiming to permanently end hostilities after the latest Israel-Hezbollah war.The deal reached in Washington calls for the disarmament of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army there, starting with two "pilot" areas.Hezbollah has rejected the deal, which does not set a timetable for an Israeli withdrawal.In a congratulatory message to President Donald Trump marking the United States' 250th anniversary of independence, Aoun urged Washington to "keep always standing beside Lebanon's right and just causes, its institutions, army and people".Aoun expressed hope that Lebanon could "turn the page on wars... and open a new page of hope, peace and stability".In a message also marking the independence anniversary, the US embassy in Lebanon said on X that "it is with great pride that we stand with the people of Lebanon as they forge a brighter future - one of peace, prosperity, and promise long overdue".02:54 PM, 4 July 2026Tehran province shut until TuesdayTehran province will remain closed from Saturday until Tuesday to facilitate funeral arrangements, Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamediyan said, according to Iran International.Earlier, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said Tuesday had been declared a public holiday in Tehran to allow mourners to leave the city following the farewell of the “martyred leader,” as described by local media.01:32 PM, 4 July 2026Israeli forces raid camps in West Bank Israeli forces have stormed the city of Tubas, the nearby town of Aqaba, and the al-Far’a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.The report said Israeli troops conducted raids and searched several Palestinian homes across the three locations before withdrawing from the areas. 11:11 AM, 4 July 2026Iran warns UK and France over military moves in Strait of Hormuz
