Khamenei Funeral Begins as Successor Mojtaba Skips Rites, Signs Hardline Decree

The official state funeral procession for Ali Khamenei, assassinated in a coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28, commenced Monday along a 10-kilometer route through Tehran drawing millions. New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei conspicuously did not attend his father's funeral prayers — his three other brothers were present in the front row — though he later issued a decree reappointing Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei as judiciary chief. The Washington Post characterizes Iran's new leadership as 'younger, savvier, ruthless and even more hard-line.' Hamas is simultaneously reported to be considering dissolving its Gaza government to allow in a technocratic panel. The Iran War supplemental is deepening FY27 U.S. budget uncertainty, per Defense One.