Iran issues Hormuz warning as millions attend Khamenei funeral amid rising tensions

What happened

The New Arab reports that Iran’s deputy foreign minister issued a "serious warning" against foreign military deployments in the Strait of Hormuz, following statements from the UK and France about cooperating with Oman to secure the strategic waterway. Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to China reiterated plans to charge new transit fees for ships passing through the strait, with an exemption offered to "friendly" nations, though Washington has rejected this proposal.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The warnings come amid the funeral in Tehran of Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed Iran’s supreme leader after his father Ali Khamenei was killed in US and Israeli strikes on 28 February. Millions attended the funeral, underscoring Iran’s domestic political consolidation amid ongoing international tensions. Iran's Supreme Leader’s representative to the IRGC defended negotiators from hardline accusations of treason related to a memorandum of understanding with the US, emphasizing loyalty to the newly appointed leader and rejecting claims that undermine the leadership’s decisions.

Alongside maritime and leadership developments, fresh violence was reported in Lebanon and Gaza. Lebanese sources cited new Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon despite a recent framework agreement intended to end conflict. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported two Palestinians killed in Israeli drone attacks in Gaza City and Jabalia refugee camp. These developments add layers of regional instability amid ongoing diplomacy and military tensions.

Known from the source

• Iran’s deputy foreign minister issued a warning over foreign military deployments in the Strait of Hormuz.
• The UK and France intend to work with Oman to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran’s ambassador to China announced plans for new fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, exempting 'friendly' nations.
• Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed on 28 February in strikes attributed to US and Israeli forces.
• Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed Iran’s supreme leader and his funeral was held with millions attending.

What remains unclear

Historical context includes prior failed accords between Lebanon and Israel, such as the 1983 17 May Agreement which collapsed within a year due to clauses linked to Syrian troop withdrawals that never materialized. This history suggests caution about the durability of recent framework agreements and the risk of renewed hostilities in the fragile Lebanon-Israel dynamic.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verification of casualty figures in Gaza from drone attacks. Details and legitimacy of new fees charged by Iran on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Specifics of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US referenced by IRGC leadership.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: The New Arab. Open the source.