The pilots went missing after Iranian military aircraft entered Qatari airspace on March 2, during the opening days of the war that followed US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Akraminia also criticised Washington's approach to the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of lacking a coherent strategy. "These contradictory statements, opinions, and behaviours demonstrate that the Americans lack a coherent strategy," he said, claiming Washington had become "bewildered" in its conflict with Tehran.

His comments came after US President Donald Trump posted a map of the Strait of Hormuz on Truth Social last week labelled "New American Territory." Trump had previously said he intended to declare the strategic waterway American territory, although the White House later said the remarks were a joke and had not been officially discussed.

He warned that countries joining US economic measures would be considered enemies, adding that Tehran would initially seek talks before taking action against their interests.

Rezaei also threatened US commercial interests if Washington imposed further sanctions. "The US has many oil companies and economic interests around Iran and in other places; well, we will hit those," he said.

Trump announced a new economic pressure campaign last week, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has promised the "toughest sanctions in history."

Rezaei also argued that US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities had undermined confidence in the global non-proliferation system. Iran remains a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

He separately said Iran and Oman had agreed on a transit route through the Strait of Hormuz, although negotiations were not complete, and warned Washington against hostile military moves around the waterway.

"If they make any movement along the southern route [Strait of Hormuz], we will hit them," he said. Rezaei, a former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council earlier this month.

He said Iran was instead holding talks with Oman to establish a temporary route to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. "We are seeking, in consultation and cooperation with Oman, to determine this route as soon as possible," Baghaei said.

Trump had earlier claimed he halted what he described as the "largest attack since World War II" after appeals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran, saying Tehran wanted an agreement.

Baghaei also dismissed speculation that Iran's negotiating team had travelled abroad, saying all members remained in the country while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was visiting Iraq for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage.

He further accused the United States of committing "war crimes" by striking residential areas in Qeshm, Minab and Lamerd, saying Iran would pursue legal action through international channels.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran chose the path of diplomacy and dialogue, and negotiations were underway to settle differences. The response to diplomacy came not through negotiation, but through a military attack," he said.

He argued that such actions weakened confidence in diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

"Such behaviour undermines confidence in diplomacy, calls into question the credibility of mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, and carries a dangerous message for the future of international relations," Araghchi said.

The Iranian foreign minister also accused the United States and Israel of violating international law, citing what he described as breaches of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's commitment to cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, saying Tehran was ready to make its transport, energy and regional trade capabilities available to fellow member states.

His remarks came after a 13th consecutive night of US strikes on Iran, while Tehran continued targeting American military assets across the region.

"This is the 13th consecutive night of strikes aimed to hold Iran accountable and diminish threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to commercial shipping," CENTCOM said in a post on X.

The exact time and location of the footage could not be independently verified.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was close to deciding whether to launch what he described as a "massive attack" on Iran, saying it would be larger than any strike carried out during the months-long conflict.

"I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," Trump said.

His remarks came after Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and a fresh rise in oil prices above $100 per barrel, Viory reports.

The latest strikes come after the collapse of a Pakistan-brokered interim agreement signed in June, which had sought to halt the conflict that began on 28 February.

Among those attending was Reyhaneh Abdi, who spoke of her grief during the ceremony.

"I loved my leader with all my soul, and my greatest wish was to sacrifice my life for him, but it didn't happen. Now, I am deeply ashamed before my leader that I survived, while my leader was martyred, by the most wicked creatures and the lowest of people ," she said.

Another mourner, Saeid Khane-Baz, said Khamenei's death would not weaken the Islamic Republic.

"They are so weak to think that by martyring the high official, the commander-in-chief, the Supreme Leader, the country will be destroyed. No, they are mistaken. They have trained many soldiers. I am also a soldier. We are all soldiers, and we will remain soldiers of this country," he said.

Iranian authorities have introduced extensive arrangements to accommodate the large crowds, converting mosques, parks and stadiums into temporary facilities and setting up camps for mourners.

A public funeral procession is scheduled to take place on July 6 before ceremonies move to the holy city of Qom on July 7.

The funeral observances are expected to conclude in Mashhad, where Khamenei is due to be buried at the Imam Reza shrine on July 9.

The match saw Iran respond to two goals from New Zealand’s Elijah Just, with strikes from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi earning a point. The result leaves all teams in Group G level, while Iran’s participation has been overshadowed by visa issues that forced changes to their tournament preparations.

“Iran's blocked assets will also be released according to the memorandum of understanding that will be signed,” he said.

Araghchi also indicated that the framework would address broader regional issues, including the conflict in Lebanon, as part of efforts to reduce tensions across the Middle East.

The foreign minister warned that opponents of the negotiations were attempting to derail the process, singling out Israel as the main adversary of the proposed agreement.

“I must explicitly state that this agreement has enemies, at the forefront of which is the Zionist regime, and they are looking for pretexts to disrupt this agreement,” he said.

He stressed that pressure and threats would not change Iran's position and could instead undermine diplomatic progress.

“In these circumstances, threats are not only ineffective but also set back a potential agreement; threats must stop, and we must speak with the language of respect in order for us to reach an agreement,” Araghchi said.

His comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a deal with Iran could be signed “this weekend” and suggested a formal signing ceremony could take place in Europe.

Trump also said he had cancelled a planned military strike on Iran following recent exchanges of attacks between the two countries, including incidents linked to a U.S. Apache helicopter crash that Washington blamed on an Iranian drone.

Large crowds filled Enqelab Square and nearby streets as festivities stretched across a 10-kilometre route through the capital. Participants were also seen treading on a US flag, while an Iranian-made Shahed-136 drone was displayed during the event.

Attendees said the gathering was not only a religious occasion but also an opportunity to demonstrate loyalty to the country's leaders.

"This large crowd that has gathered here has all come out of love for the Amir al-Momenin (Prince of the Believers) and out of love for our leaders - both our martyred leader, and to pledge allegiance to our new leader," said Karimi.

She added: "This immense crowd itself shows that we stand behind our country and behind our leader. We will stand behind this Islamic system until the very end."

Iranian media reported that participants renewed their pledge of allegiance to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei during celebrations held across the country.

Mohseni, another attendee, said the turnout reflected continued support for Iran's political system.

"The people stand behind this nation, behind their homeland. They defend the leadership and will never abandon it. I hope it always remains this way. We are even willing to sacrifice our lives for them," he said.

According to Iranian media, Eid al-Ghadir events were held in several provinces, although some celebrations were delayed because of high temperatures.

Eid al-Ghadir commemorates the anniversary of Prophet Muhammad appointing Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor at Ghadir Khumm, according to Shiite belief and several other Islamic traditions. Across Iran , the occasion is marked with religious gatherings, processions and public celebrations.

Hundreds of people gathered at Khomeini's mausoleum, waving Iranian flags and taking part in ceremonies marking the 37th anniversary of his passing. A memorial chair honouring the late leader was also displayed.

During the event, Ahmad Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic, referenced recent attacks while recalling his grandfather's views on the United States .

“Imam Khomeini called America the Great Satan. We witnessed this in the explosions at Minab School, in the martyrdom of our children, and in the killing of the father of our Ummah,” he said.

The commemoration also featured a message from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, which was read by Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari, a representative of the Supreme Leader.

The message said Iran's enemies were attempting to weaken public resilience and influence decision-making by spreading fear and division.

“In confronting these malicious intentions, everyone must neutralise these plots through steadfastness, awareness, unity, cohesion, mutual trust, and by refusing to echo the enemy’s narrative,” the message said.

Hundreds of thousands of people reportedly travelled from across Iran to attend the ceremony honouring Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution and established the Islamic Republic before his death on June 3, 1989, at the age of 89.

The event took place amid continuing tensions following the Minab school attack, which killed around 170 people, many of them children. Iran blamed the United States and Israel for the strike. Israel said it was unaware of any operations in the area, while US Central Command chief General Brad Cooper stated on May 19 that the school was located inside an active cruise missile base.