Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific announced plans to restart flights to the Middle East. This follows discussions between the United States and Iran indicating diplomatic progress. Talks took place indirectly in Doha, and President Trump along with officials from Qatar and Pakistan suggested diplomacy is showing promise, despite recent conflict.
Cathay Pacific halted flights to Dubai and Riyadh in late February due to the outbreak of war. Rising oil prices from the conflict have led the airline to increase fuel surcharges. Starting September 1, daily passenger flights to Dubai and four-times weekly flights to Riyadh will resume. Freighter services to Riyadh will restart on August 1.
In the evolving situation, Cathay Pacific stated they will continue monitoring developments closely before resuming flights.
CBS/AFP reports further developments regarding Iran’s supreme leader.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, sought a significant turnout at Ali Khamenei’s funeral to avenge his death caused by U.S.-Israeli strikes at the war’s onset. Funeral ceremonies, beginning Saturday, are expected to draw between 15 and 20 million mourners. This event marks what may be Iran’s largest state funeral.
The funeral was initially delayed during the war’s peak. President Trump, along with mediators from Qatar and Pakistan, noted positive progress in recent indirect talks. Khamenei’s successor, Mojtaba, remains absent from public view, leaving uncertainty about his presence at the funeral.
Representatives from various countries, including neighboring nations like Iraq and Afghanistan, are expected to attend. This moment in Iranian history is considered significant.
CBS/AFP provides insights on related diplomatic efforts.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, plans to attend Khamenei’s funeral, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry. The visit is part of an ongoing effort by Pakistan to mediate and resolve regional tensions, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes resulting in Khamenei’s death.
Khamenei’s body will lie in state at Tehran’s central complex, venue for major religious gatherings. Pakistan maintains cultural ties with Iran, highlighted by a shared border and Shia population.
After Iran, Sharif will converse with Turkish leaders and business professionals, as reported by the foreign ministry spokesman.
H.R. McMaster, former Trump adviser, expressed concerns about Iran benefiting financially from ongoing talks. He noted that lifting sanctions on Iranian oil helps Iran replenish its military capabilities.
McMaster believes President Trump’s initial decision to enter war was justified but expressed skepticism over current negotiations benefiting Iran without sufficient oversight.
Qatar and Pakistan reported positive progress in talks with the U.S. regarding the ongoing ceasefire. Discussions remain suspended during funeral proceedings for Khamenei.
Vice President JD Vance comments on military options.
Vice President JD Vance highlighted progress in the Doha talks while leaving open the possibility of renewed military action against Iran. This depends on Iran’s actions concerning its nuclear program and commercial vessel security.
Vance emphasized U.S. military action hinges on Iran’s compliance and willingness to negotiate. Talks are underway but specific discussions on nuclear issues have not started yet.
Three crew members of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter were rescued after an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea. Search efforts continue for the missing fourth crew member.
No indications suggest hostile action caused the helicopter’s emergency landing, according to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
Iranian state media shared funeral plans for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mourners will join ceremonies in Tehran, Qom, Mashhad, and several significant cities in Iraq. The six-day commemoration begins July 4 in Tehran.
Khamenei’s body will subsequently move to Qom, Najaf, and Karbala, before concluding in Mashhad. Estimates predict between 15 and 20 million mourners, making this an unprecedented state funeral in Iran.
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