Tehran [Iran], June 13 : Iranian authorities have announced the schedule for the farewell, procession and burial ceremonies of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while Iran's top negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf marked the anniversary of last year's 12-day war by mourning those killed in the conflict and vowing to continue resisting pressure from the United States and Israel.
According to Iran's Fars News Agency, farewell ceremonies for the late Khamenei will be held on July 4 and 5 at the Imam Khomeini Prayer Grounds in Tehran. A procession ceremony is scheduled in Tehran on July 6, followed by ceremonies in the holy city of Qom on July 7 and in Mashhad on July 9. He will be buried at the holy shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad.
Marking one year since the start of the conflict, Iran's top negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the United States and Israel of targeting civilians and children during the war.
In a post on X, he said, "One year has passed since the start of the first round of criminal attacks by the Israeli and American regimes on our eternal home, Iran."
https://x.com/mb_ghalibaf/status/2065740051921735910
He added, "They murdered innocent children and refrained from no crime or cruelty."
Ghalibaf said that the country stands firm "until the end of the glory" and "ultimate victory".
He further said, "Inspired by the heroic and oppressed martyrs of the 12-Day War, we stand firm until the end for the glory and ultimate victory of our dear Iran."
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed that the peace deal between the US and Iran is "closer than ever", with a deal to be finalised "in the next 24 hours."
Sharif said that finalisation is likely in the next 24 hours, and technical level talks will follow.
https://x.com/CMShehbaz/status/2065751039136207357
In a post on X, he said, "We are closer to a peace deal than ever before. With finalisation likely expected in the next 24 hours, Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace deal immediately after, followed by technical-level talks next week. We would like to thank United States of America and Islamic Republic of Iran for their ongoing commitment during the negotiations, and we extend our sincere appreciation to our brothers in the region for their support. We are confident that this historic peace deal will form a strong foundation for lasting peace."
Earlier on Friday (local time), a senior Trump administration official said Iran has committed to never develop or procure nuclear weapons under a proposed agreement, while sanctions relief would be tied to strict verification and inspections.
Speaking about the negotiations, the official said the agreement enjoys support from regional partners, including Israel and Gulf countries.
"We feel quite confident that all of our allies- the Israelis and the Gulf coalition- will get on board. Obviously, that doesn't mean they give up the right to self-defence, and if Iranians don't honor their end of the obligation, I wouldn't expect the Israelis to not respond."