Ali Khamenei was killed in a U.S. air strike on the first day of the war on February 28, and negotiations between Iran and the United States were paused until after multiday funeral ceremonies in Tehran.

Iranian authorities buried the former supreme leader at a shrine in Mashhad; his body was carried by truck through crammed streets toward the Shrine of Imam Reza. Millions of mourners gathered in Tehran for funeral prayers as ceremonies entered their second day, and emergency medical teams treated nearly 50,000 people during the procession. Authorities said no fatalities or major security incidents were recorded.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said any Iranian leader who attempts to advance plans to destroy Israel will be thwarted, and he claimed Israel eliminated Ali Khamenei because he initiated and led a plan to destroy Israel, according to Al Arabiya.

President Donald Trump claimed in March that the campaign had achieved “regime change,” indicated that negotiations with Tehran would resume after the funeral period, and reported that Washington and Tehran agreed on a deal announced on Monday to halt the conflict, according to Al Monitor and MiddleEastEye. Iran's Supreme National Security Council warned President Trump that Tehran expects Washington to show respect toward the Iranian people or face a stronger response, as reported by IndiaToday.in.

Reports claim Iran’s new Supreme Leader has been wounded and is sheltering underground, according to Bluesky.