Iran postpones Khamenei funeral as US-Israeli bombardment continues

March 4, 2026

Iran has postponed the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in coordinated US-Israeli strikes, citing the need to prepare infrastructure for large crowds though the decision comes amid ongoing military operations across the country. The US and Israel continue intensive airstrikes targeting Iranian military facilities, while Iran has retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf nations hosting American bases, resulting in civilian casualties including an 11-year-old girl in Kuwait. Iran's Assembly of Experts is working to select Khamenei's successor, with his son Mojtaba reportedly the leading candidate, while US defense officials claim they will achieve total air superiority within days.

Who is affected

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (killed along with his wife and one adult son)
Iranian military personnel and civilians (1,045+ reported deaths)
Children in Iran (181 children under age 10 among 1,097 civilian deaths)
11-year-old girl in Kuwait (killed by shrapnel)
Six US service personnel in Kuwait (killed)
Two Kuwaiti army soldiers (killed)
80 Iranian naval personnel on frigate Iris Dena (killed)
32 Iranian naval personnel (rescued from frigate)
Ten people in Israel (killed in missile strikes)
Iranian people who protested for Khamenei's overthrow (at least 6,480 killed by security forces during earlier uprising)
Assembly of Experts members (tasked with selecting new supreme leader)
Mojtaba Khamenei (potential successor)

What action is being taken

US and Israeli forces are conducting strikes across Iran
The US and Israel are targeting military compounds, command centers, missile arrays, air defense systems, and production facilities
Israeli F-35 fighter jets are conducting aerial operations over Tehran
Iran is launching missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states with US bases
The Assembly of Experts is working to choose Khamenei's successor
Iranian forces are responding with hundreds of missiles and drones
Israeli defense systems are intercepting Iranian missile salvos
Qatar has arrested 10 members of alleged IRGC-linked cells
NATO air defense systems are intercepting Iranian missiles in the Eastern Mediterranean

Why it matters

This represents a major escalation in Middle East conflict, marking the first time a sitting Iranian Supreme Leader has been killed and the first direct, sustained US-Israeli military assault on Iranian territory. The Supreme Leader position holds ultimate authority over Iran's political system and armed forces, making the succession process critical for regional stability. The conflict threatens to draw neighboring Gulf states into a wider war, as evidenced by civilian casualties and infrastructure attacks in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The US declaration of intent to achieve "total aerial superiority" and control over Iran signals a potential shift from limited strikes to broader regime change objectives, with implications for global oil markets, regional alliances, and international security.

What's next

The funeral ceremony will be rescheduled for "a more appropriate time"
The Assembly of Experts will announce Khamenei's successor "in the closest opportunity"
US and Israeli forces plan to achieve total aerial superiority over Iran "within days"
US forces plan to "soon" control Iran
Any successor who threatens Israel and the US will be targeted for elimination (according to Israel's defense minister)

Read full article from source: BBC