Key events
Dan Sabbagh
Guardian defence and security editor Dan Sabbagh has a story today on how Israel identified around 1,000 potential targets a day in Gaza and Lebanon during the first two years of the war. He writes:
‘A total of 850,000 targets were detected in real time by the Israeli Tzayad digital army programme across all the military’s theatres of war between 7 October and the end of 2025, the company said at a military conference in London.’
Sabbagh also has comment from a former senior targeting adviser and policy analyst at the US Pentagon, who said the 850,000 figure was highly concerning.
You can read the full story here:
So far, Khamenei’s son and Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen at the events marking the days of national mourning.
Three of the former leader’s sons were present during the second day of the funeral, and were seen praying behind the coffins of their family members.
The new supreme leader has not been seen or heard in public since he was appointed to his position in March, which is widely believed due to be because of security concerns.
According to the Times of Israel, Israel defence minister Israel Katz has warned that Iran’s new leaders could meet the same fate as Khamenei, saying that “any Iranian leader who tries to push plans to destroy Israel again will also be thwarted.”
Millions assemble in Tehran to mourn supreme leader, calling for revenge against US
Patrick Wintour
Good morning, and welcome to the Middle East live blog.
Today marks the start of a mass funeral procession for Iran’s former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
Millions have assembled in the capital for the six-day, five-city funeral for Khamenei, who was killed in February during the first airstrike when the US and Israel started the current war in the region. He was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Guardian correspondent Patrick Wintour is on the ground reporting from Tehran. He said the funeral prayers this weekend ‘created a political spectacle at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla that melded grief with calls for revenge.’
You can read his latest update here:
The procession today follows two days of public farewell ceremonies, during which there were calls for the murder of Donald Trump.
The coffins of Khamenei and family members also killed in the strikes will make their way to Mehrabad International Airport over the course of a 12-hour journey.
Daily life has ground to a halt since national mourning began on Saturday, with authorities closing streets and air space to mark the occasion. The procession will end on Thursday, when Khamenei will be buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, where he was born.
We’ll follow the procession as it makes its way through Tehran, and also give you the latest on hostilities which are continuing in Lebanon and Palestine.
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