Khamenei was killed in the opening attack of the war that Israel and the United States launched against Iran in late February.

Iran’s new, more militaristic leaders have already survived the worst that America and Israel can deliver, and seem readier to take risks.

Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg compares Trump's kinetic strikes against Iran to Nixon's Linebacker II campaign that forced North Vietnam back to peace talks.

In recent weeks, Iran has dramatically escalated efforts to seal off its cache of near bomb-grade uranium, deliberately collapsing tunnels and booby-trapping entrances with explosive mines, according to five sources familiar with US intelligence.

An agreement could be reached within 24 hours, the Pakistani prime minister said, though Tehran cast doubt on the prospect.

The funeral for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will begin in Tehran on July 4 and ​conclude with his burial in his hometown, the northeastern holy city of Mashhad, ‌on July 9, state media reported on Saturday.

Two sources said the UAE had agreed to release $10 billion to Iran, although it is unclear whether the funds belonged to the UAE or were from long-blocked Iranian accounts.

The US said an interim peace deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz and ends Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions looks increasingly likely and could be signed within days, though conflicting messages between Washington and Tehran continued to cast doubt on that timeline.