Russia has reportedly begun sending military-related supplies to Iran through the Caspian Sea, as Tehran seeks to replenish weapons and equipment depleted during its recent conflict with the United States and Israel.

According to a European government document obtained by NBC News and confirmed by a Western official, the reported shipments include TNT, drone components and ammunition. Satellite imagery analysed by experts also reportedly suggests that some cargoes may contain components used in ballistic missile production.

More than two dozen Russian ships, many of which are reportedly under US and European sanctions, have travelled across the Caspian Sea to Iran's Amirabad port, according to the report.

Russia-Iran Military Ties Shift

The reported transfers indicate a possible shift in the military relationship between Moscow and Tehran.

Iran had previously supplied Russia with large quantities of Shahed-type drones for use in its war in Ukraine. The latest reports suggest that Russia is now providing assistance as Iran attempts to rebuild military stocks depleted during its conflict with the US and Israel.

The reported supplies could help Tehran restore elements of its drone, ammunition and missile capabilities, although the available information does not establish the exact quantity of material transferred.

Caspian Sea Offers Strategic Route

The reported shipments are being moved through the Caspian Sea, which is bordered by Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

Under the international arrangements governing the Caspian Sea, its waters are under the jurisdiction of these five countries. This makes the route difficult for Western naval forces to monitor or intercept.

Ships travelling between Russian and Iranian ports can also reportedly switch off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders, making their movements more difficult to track.

The route allows cargo vessels to avoid maritime chokepoints that are more closely monitored by the United States and its allies.

Iranian Ports Previously Targeted

The reported shipments come after Israeli strikes earlier this year targeted Bandar Anzali, an Iranian port on the Caspian Sea that had reportedly been identified as part of a military supply route.

According to The Times of Israel, the strikes damaged port infrastructure and Iranian naval assets.

The reported attacks highlighted the vulnerability of Iran's maritime supply network as Tehran works to restore military infrastructure damaged during the conflict.

Supplies Could Aid Arsenal Rebuilding

Iran used significant quantities of drones and other weapons during the recent conflict. US and Israeli strikes also targeted Iranian missile and military infrastructure.

The reported Russian supplies could therefore provide Tehran with additional material to rebuild parts of its depleted arsenal.

Iran's Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) has reportedly begun replacing some domestically produced ballistic missile components with parts manufactured in Russia and China.

The imported components are believed to be intended primarily for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force, according to the report.

However, Western intelligence agencies have not publicly quantified the scale of Iran's military reconstruction or confirmed the full extent of the reported Russian transfers.

Russia, China Expand Cooperation

The reported shipments are part of broader military cooperation between Iran, Russia and China under Tehran's "Look East" strategy.

Russia has reportedly provided satellite imagery to Iran, potentially helping its forces monitor military sites and improve targeting capabilities.

China has also expanded cooperation with Tehran through systems linked to BeiDou navigation, radar and surveillance technology, as well as materials associated with solid-propellant missile production.

Such cooperation has helped Iran reduce its dependence on Western technology and maintain access to foreign military-related components.

Moscow, Tehran Yet to Comment

The reported transfers have not been publicly confirmed by either Russia or Iran.

Neither Moscow nor Tehran has commented specifically on the reported shipments. Russian officials have previously denied providing military material to Iran beyond supplies that had already been acknowledged.

The reported movement of Russian military-related supplies nevertheless points to the expanding strategic relationship between Moscow and Tehran, while Iran continues efforts to rebuild capabilities affected by the recent conflict.

Trump Says Iran Wants to Resume Talks as Khamenei Funeral Begins Under Tight Security

As Iran commenced week-long funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, US President Donald Trump claimed that Tehran is eager to return to negotiations with Washington following weeks of heightened military tensions.

Speaking during an event marking the launch of the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations, Trump said Iran was "dying to settle" and suggested that the United States had deliberately eased diplomatic pressure to allow the funeral proceedings to take place.

"We gave them a week off for a funeral because we're nice," Trump remarked, adding that Iran now wants to reach an agreement with the United States.

However, Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed any renewed negotiations, and there has been no official response to Trump's latest comments.

Funeral Begins Amid Massive Security Arrangements

The funeral ceremonies for Ali Khamenei officially began on Saturday morning at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, where tens of thousands of mourners gathered hours before the gates opened.

Iranian state television broadcast images showing Khamenei's casket alongside those of several family members reportedly killed during the conflict. Large crowds carrying Iranian flags and red banners associated with calls for revenge filled the religious complex and surrounding streets.

Authorities have launched one of the country's largest security and logistical operations in recent years.

Among the measures announced:

• More than 2,500 ambulances and emergency teams deployed.

• Hundreds of drones and helicopters assigned for security monitoring.

• Public transport operating free for mourners.

• Airports temporarily closed during key funeral events.

• Millions of loaves of bread prepared for visitors attending ceremonies.

The funeral procession is expected to travel through several Iranian cities before Khamenei is buried in Mashhad on July 9, fulfilling his reported final wish to rest near the Imam Reza Shrine.

Mojtaba Khamenei Unlikely to Appear Publicly

Security concerns are expected to keep Iran's newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, away from public funeral events.

Mohammad Eslami, a research fellow at the University of Tehran, told Al Jazeera that Israeli security threats make any public appearance by Mojtaba highly risky.

According to Eslami, there are concerns that Israel could attempt actions designed to derail any emerging diplomatic understanding between Tehran and Washington, making public appearances by senior Iranian leadership particularly sensitive.

Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed Mojtaba Khamenei's funeral schedule.

Diplomatic Tensions Continue

Even as funeral ceremonies dominate headlines, diplomatic tensions remain high.

Israel has rejected a report published by The New York Times claiming that the United States had warned Israeli officials against targeting Iranian negotiators. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office dismissed the report as "fake."

Meanwhile, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir travelled to Tehran to attend the funeral and held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Officials have not disclosed details of their discussions.

Qatar has also indicated that future rounds of US-Iran negotiations may resume after the funeral concludes, although no timetable has been officially announced.

Strait of Hormuz Slowly Returning to Normal

Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is gradually recovering after recent disruptions caused by regional hostilities.

Shipping analytics firm Kpler reported that vessel movements remain below normal but have stabilized within expected operating levels. Analysts nevertheless describe the recovery as fragile, warning that geopolitical uncertainty continues to affect commercial shipping decisions.

A Nation in Mourning

The funeral marks the end of more than four decades of Ali Khamenei's leadership, during which he shaped Iran's military, political and religious institutions. Across Tehran, mourning ceremonies continue alongside heavy security deployments as officials prepare for several days of public tributes.

Whether Trump's remarks signal a genuine opening for renewed diplomacy or remain political rhetoric will likely become clearer after Iran's mourning period concludes and both governments indicate their next diplomatic steps.