Shipping traffic at the Strait of Hormuz dwindled further at the start of this week after attacks intensified in ‌West Asia, shipping data showed.

Commodity vessel transits at Hormuz totalled four on ⁠Monday, down from 10 during the previous day, preliminary data from Kpler showed on Tuesday.

Two dry bulk carriers exited ‌the waterway, including one laden and one ballast vessel, while two oil tankers ‌entered the strait, both in ballast mode.

The ‌figures ⁠exclude some vessels that might have ⁠crossed the strait with their Automatic Identification System transponders turned off to avoid detection.

– Reuters

Iran’s foreign ministry said yesterday that the United States has repeatedly violated their agreed memorandum of understanding, and warned of retaliation following Washington’s strikes on targets in the Strait of Hormuz.

“Iran is issuing a serious warning about the consequences of America’s breach of the treaty, and will take decisive measures to protect its interests and national security,” the ministry said in a statement posted to Telegram by IRIB News.

– AFP

The body of Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei arrived in the holy city of Qom yesterday evening, hours after a sea of people filled the streets of Tehran for his funeral procession in the capital.

Ordinary Iranians loyal to the Islamic republic joined top officials for the event, in which a truck carrying the bodies of Khamenei and four family members killed in a February 28 U.S.-Israeli strike inched its way to Azadi Square in the west of the city.

Yesterday’s procession will be followed by similar events in Qom today and in Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday (July 8, 2026).

“The body of the martyred leader has arrived in Qom,” south of the capital, state television said on social media, alongside footage showing a helicopter carrying Khamenei’s body landing in the city.

– AFP

With electronic music blaring and free food and drinks on offer at hundreds of stalls, the area around late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies in Tehran on Sunday had the feel of a summer festival.

Volunteers provided fruit juice and water under a scorching sun in the capital’s city centre, on the second day of ceremonies honouring Khamenei and four of his family members killed on February 28 in US-Israeli airstrikes.

At one stall, dozens of women in black chadors waited in line as three teenagers prepared trays of chips behind the counter. The display had no prices or menu, just portraits of some of the Islamic republic’s “martyrs”.

The atmosphere was noisy, with electronic music mixed with Khamenei speeches and religious chants praising Imam Hussein, a revered early Shia leader.

The lively ambience stood in contrast to the solemn character of the nearby Grand Mosalla religious complex, where mourners have been paying their respects at Khamenei’s coffin.

– AFP