Iran's Supreme Leader Leads Prayers during Mousavi's Funeral

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, shown at a 2009 clerical gathering. Reuters file photo
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, shown at a 2009 clerical gathering. Reuters file photo
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Iran's Supreme Leader Leads Prayers during Mousavi's Funeral

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, shown at a 2009 clerical gathering. Reuters file photo
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, shown at a 2009 clerical gathering. Reuters file photo

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei led prayers on Thursday at the funeral of Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a senior Revolutionary Guards adviser who was killed in what Iran said was an Israeli air strike in Syria.

Khamenei paid tribute "to this martyr's tireless struggle and called for his companionship with the guardians of God," state TV said.

His body was flown from Syria to Najaf in Iraq before being taken to Tehran, according to Reuters.

An Israeli military spokesperson declined specific comment about Mousavi's death on Monday, but said it took whatever action that was necessary to defend the country.

Since the eruption of war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, Iran-backed groups have mounted operations against Israel, while others, including militias in Iraq, have threatened US interests.

Israel has for years carried out attacks against what it describes as Iran-linked targets in Syria, where Tehran's influence has grown since it backed President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war that erupted in Syria in 2011.



Greenland Leader Says Everyone Should Respect Island’s Wish for Independence

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Mute B. Egede attend a press conference in the Mirror Hall at the Prime Minister's Office, at Christiansborg in Copenhagen, Friday, January 10, 2025. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters)
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Mute B. Egede attend a press conference in the Mirror Hall at the Prime Minister's Office, at Christiansborg in Copenhagen, Friday, January 10, 2025. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters)
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Greenland Leader Says Everyone Should Respect Island’s Wish for Independence

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Mute B. Egede attend a press conference in the Mirror Hall at the Prime Minister's Office, at Christiansborg in Copenhagen, Friday, January 10, 2025. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters)
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Mute B. Egede attend a press conference in the Mirror Hall at the Prime Minister's Office, at Christiansborg in Copenhagen, Friday, January 10, 2025. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters)

Greenland's leader said on Friday he had not been in contact with incoming US president Donald Trump, who has said he wants control over the Arctic island, and urged everyone to respect Greenland's wish for independence.

Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, said this week that US control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, was an "absolute necessity" and did not rule out using military or economic action such as tariffs against Denmark to make it happen.

"We have a desire for independence, a desire to be the master of our own house ... This is something everyone should respect," Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said at a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.