The ceremony marked the fortieth day since the martyrdom of Iranian servicemen who lost their lives in Israel’s recent acts of aggression.
Attendees paid tribute to the fallen, reaffirming national unity and resistance in the face of external threats.
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A PMF commander is quoted as saying that engineering units from the Diyala Operations Command are tasked with round-the-clock surveillance and field assessment of the route extending from the al-Mundhariyah border crossing toward the holy city of Karbala.
Explosives disposal teams, K9 units specialized in bomb detection and neutralization, and elite PMF forces have been deployed as part of this operation. In particular, elite units have been stationed along the Najaf–Karbala highway to ensure the safe passage of pilgrims en route to the Arbaeen observances.
The PMF’s presence underscores the significance of maintaining security measures amid the large influx of pilgrims expected to participate in the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.
Millions of Iranians also take part in Arbaeen march, marking 40 days after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hossein, the third Shia Imam, and 72 of his companions in Karbala, around 1400 years ago.
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) announced that 421 football players were among the 808 athletes killed in Gaza over the past 22 months, nearly half of them children.
The latest victim was former Palestinian national team footballer Suleiman al-Obaid, who was killed Wednesday while waiting for humanitarian aid.
The PFA said in a statement: “Former national team player Suleiman al-Obaid was martyred during an attack by occupation forces while waiting for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.”
Al-Obaid, 41, born in Gaza and father of five, was regarded as one of the brightest stars in Palestinian football history. He played 24 official matches for the national team and scored two goals.
Since October 2023, the number of footballers killed or who died from starvation has reached 421, including 103 children, according to the PFA.
At least 61,158 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The toll includes those killed in airstrikes, ground assaults, and at least 193 who died from hunger due to the Israeli blockade.
The ongoing Israeli assault — now in its second year of genocide in Gaza — has devastated Palestinian sports. Athletes, coaches and referees have been killed, and entire sports facilities have been bombed, burned or repurposed as mass graves.
Some 90% of sports infrastructure in Gaza has reportedly been destroyed.
The PFA added 288 sports facilities have been partially or fully destroyed by Israeli forces across Gaza and the West Bank, including stadiums, gyms and football clubs. Among them was the PFA headquarters, struck by Israeli airstrikes.
Of the destroyed facilities, 268 were in Gaza, while 20 were in the West Bank. Half of them served Palestinian football directly.
Alongside the attacks, famine and malnutrition have intensified across Gaza, leading to a near-total collapse of athletic life. The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least 193 people have died from hunger since the start of the blockade.
The United Nations and humanitarian groups have warned of mass starvation as Israel’s blockade continues to cut off aid, fuel and food supplies to Gaza’s population.
Gaza residents, including athletes, are increasingly abandoning sports activities as they struggle to survive amid bombardment, displacement and the growing risk of starvation.
In a statement posted on X, the Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS) movement – which includes more than 550 former senior officials from the military, Mossad, Shin Bet, police, National Security Council, and Foreign Ministry – urged Netanyahu “to avoid a hasty decision to occupy Gaza.”
The Gaza reoccupation “runs counter to the army chief (Eyal Zamir)’s professional advice and the stance of most Israelis,” they warned.
The group argued that full occupation would endanger Israeli soldiers and hostages, citing that there are regional and international alternatives that the government refuses to discuss.
They called for “returning the hostages, ending the war, replacing Hamas’ rule, joining a regional alliance, and preparing for a potential second war with Iran.”
The warning comes as Netanyahu pushes ahead with plans to reoccupy Gaza, with the Security Cabinet set to meet Thursday to discuss the move. The Israeli army chief has opposed any plan to fully reoccupy Gaza, calling it a “strategic trap.”
The Israeli opposition and hostage families accuse Netanyahu of intentionally delaying a Gaza ceasefire and prisoners swap in favor of partial agreements that allow the war to continue and serve to keep his fragile coalition intact.
Israel has been facing mounting outrage over its destructive war on Gaza, where more than 61,100 people have been killed since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and brought it to the verge of famine.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
A medical source told Anadolu that 16-month-old Mohammed Zakaria Asfour lost his life at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis as a result of starvation-related complications amid a severe shortage of food and medicine due to the Israeli siege.
Activists shared videos on social media showing Mohammed’s extremely frail body and protruding bones.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 193 people, including 96 children, have died of starvation and malnutrition in the Gaza Strip since October 2023 due to Israel’s ongoing siege.
Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza for 18 years and, since this March, has shut down all crossings, blocking the entry of humanitarian aid and worsening conditions for the territory’s population of 2.4 million.
According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, since July 27 Israel has allowed in just 843 aid trucks – far short of the 6,000 required to meet the daily needs of residents for just 10 days.
Israel has been facing mounting outrage over its destructive war on Gaza, where more than 61,000 people have been killed since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and brought it to the verge of famine.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
Speaking at a ceremony marking 40 days since the deaths of Iranian figures killed in conflicts with Israel, Major General Mousavi said the world has witnessed that “Iran cannot be defeated” and warned that any invasion would be met with unified resistance from the Iranian people.
“The hand of Iran is strong both in negotiation and defense,” he said, adding that the memory of US “crimes and betrayals” will not be forgotten by Iranians.
General Mousavi criticized Western support for Israel amid its actions in Gaza, describing the regime as “collapsing” and warning that the “blood of Gaza’s children will not go unanswered.”
He stressed Iran’s commitment to regional stability but said any future aggression would be met with a powerful and unprecedented response.
“Our national unity is our greatest strength,” General Mousavi concluded, vowing to continue the path of fallen Iranian commanders and scientists.
Baqaei called such claims part of a broader psychological operation by hostile actors aimed at destabilizing public sentiment.
“There has been no agreement on any time or place for negotiations with the U.S.,” Baqaei Baqaei told Iran’s radio.
“These rumors are part of the enemy’s psychological warfare campaign and an effort to stir unrest.”
Baqaei also reaffirmed Iran’s continued commitment to its international obligations, despite voicing objections to the “politicized behavior” of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
In response to European statements, Baqaei stressed that “Europe has no legal grounds to invoke the snapback mechanism under UNSCR 2231,” referring to the so-called ‘trigger mechanism’ for reinstating UN sanction against Tehran.
He concluded with a pointed message to neighboring states: “We caution our neighbors to remain vigilant against schemes designed by our common adversaries.”
In a decree on Thursday, Ayatollah Khamenei said the appointment is based on Article 176 of Iran’s Constitution, which outlines national security responsibilities.
The Leader expressed gratitude to Ali Akbar Ahmadian for his great efforts in the post in recent years.
The replacement comes after Ahmadian was tasked with carrying out important executive responsibilities, Ayatollah Khamenei said.
With the Leader’s appointment, Larijani replaces Ahmadian as one of Ayatollah Khamenei’s two designated representatives to the body. Saeed Jalili is the other representative currently serving in that capacity.
On Tuesday, President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Larijani as the new secretary of the SNSC, replacing Ahmadian, who had served in that role since May 2023.
In a separate decree also on Thursday, Ayatollah Khamenei named Ahmadian and Ali Shamkhani, also a former SNSC chief, as his representatives to the Defense Council.
The appointment comes after the Supreme National Security Council approved the establishment of a Defense Council as part of major structural changes to the nation’s strategic defense policies.
The Defense Council is responsible for developing defense strategies and enhancing the capabilities of the Armed Forces.
The Iranian president will head the Defense Council, which also includes the heads of the three branches of government, senior military commanders, and designated ministers relevant to defense affairs.
Speaking to reporters, Zafarghandi said many of the injured were medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and ambulance workers, as well as civilians, women, and children.
He condemned attacks on hospitals and medical transport, stating that such actions blatantly disregard international norms.
“The international community and those claiming to defend human rights should have reacted to these attacks,” he said, urging the collection of evidence to pursue formal complaints in global legal bodies.
He also dismissed reports that wounded Palestinians from Gaza were being treated in Iran.
Zafarghandi noted that while Israeli officials made aggressive statements, the outcome of the conflict forced them to request a ceasefire. “Our people delivered a strong and sufficient response,” he added.
The minister emphasized the need for a coordinated international response to hold those responsible accountable for the humanitarian toll of the conflict.
In a statement marking the 40th day since the martyrdom of several IRGC commanders during the 12-day US-Israeli aggression, the IRGC warned that any new act of hostility would be met with a response that is “severe, beyond the enemy’s imagination, and far harsher than what the warmongering aggressors experienced in Operation True Promise III.”
“Together with other branches of Iran’s Armed Forces, the IRGC stands ready, at any time and in any place, to deliver a decisive and regret-inducing response to any threat or aggression from the United States, the Zionist regime, or their allies,” the statement declared.
It noted that the world now witnesses Iran standing firm in the pursuit of its independence-seeking goals in defiance of the “criminal Zionist-American gang.”
“Iran enjoys significant international support in condemning the savage and ruthless aggressions of the US and the Zionist regime, proving that no criminal act or threat can break the iron will of Iran and its people,” it said, referring to the 12-day aggression.
“The Iranian nation, in its quest for independence and freedom, will never yield to the pressures and threats of its enemies,” the statement read.
It added the Iranian nation succeeded in forcing a ceasefire on the US and Israel during the war.
“With strength and courage, Iran emerged victorious and proud from this historic battle. This victory not only boosted national morale and dignity but also opened a new path for confronting future threats,” the statement said.
“Today, thanks to the pure blood of our martyrs, Iran stands as an undeniable global power, ready to turn any threat into an opportunity to bring about the destined downfall of its enemies.”
The statement also praised the performance of Iran’s Armed Forces during the 12-day sacred defense against American and Zionist aggression, highlighting the successful execution of operations True Promise III and Herald of Victory.
“These operations forced a ceasefire on the Zionist regime and the United States, despite mounting global threats and pressures. This demonstrates Iran’s defensive and offensive capabilities, achievements made possible only through strength and wise, strategic measures,” the statement added.
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