Israel Identifies Extensive Targets Amid Ongoing Conflict
defence and security editor Dan Sabbagh reports on Israel’s identification of approximately 1,000 potential targets daily in Gaza and Lebanon during the initial two years of the war. According to Sabbagh,
‘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 includes commentary from a former senior targeting adviser and policy analyst at the US Pentagon, who described the figure of 850,000 targets as highly concerning.
You can read the full story here:
Funeral Procession for Ali Khamenei Begins in Iran
So far, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late supreme leader and Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, has not appeared at the national mourning events. Three of the former leader’s sons were present during the second day of the funeral and were observed praying behind the coffins of their family members.
The new supreme leader has remained absent from public appearances since his appointment in March, a situation widely attributed to security concerns.
According to the Times of Israel, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Iran’s new leaders could face a fate similar to that of Khamenei, stating,
“Any Iranian leader who tries to push plans to destroy Israel again will also be thwarted.”
Millions Gather in Tehran to Mourn and Demand Retaliation
Good morning, and welcome to the Middle East live blog.
Today marks the commencement of a mass funeral procession for Iran’s former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
Millions have assembled in Tehran for a six-day, five-city funeral procession for Khamenei, who was killed in February during the initial airstrike that marked the beginning of the current conflict involving the US and Israel. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has succeeded him as supreme leader.
correspondent Patrick Wintour, reporting from Tehran, described the funeral prayers held 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 follows two days of public farewell ceremonies, during which there were vocal calls for the assassination of Donald Trump.
The coffins of Khamenei and family members who were also killed in the strikes are scheduled to be transported to Mehrabad International Airport over a 12-hour journey.
Since the commencement of national mourning on Saturday, daily life has largely come to a halt, with authorities closing streets and airspace to accommodate the events. The procession is expected to conclude on Thursday with Khamenei’s burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace.
We will continue to monitor the procession as it progresses through Tehran and provide updates on ongoing hostilities in Lebanon and Palestine.
