Calls for the killing of former U.S. President Donald Trump were voiced during funeral ceremonies held Sunday in Tehran for Iran’s assassinated former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, according to accounts from the event. The remarks came amid large, highly charged crowds gathered for the first major public prayer ceremony marking Khamenei’s death.
Iran is holding a week of funeral processions for Khamenei, who was killed along with several family members on February 28, the opening day of a brief but intense conflict involving the United States and Israel. The funeral events had been postponed because of the war. Sunday’s ceremony took place at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran and drew tens of thousands of mourners.
Ceremony atmosphere
The funeral prayers combined religious observance with overt political messaging. Large crowds filled the mosque and surrounding courtyard well before dawn, many carrying Iranian flags, portraits of Khamenei, and red banners symbolizing calls for vengeance. Organizers appeared to emphasize mass participation and visual symbolism as a demonstration of national unity and resilience.
During a poetry recitation preceding the prayers, poet Mohammad Rasouli delivered remarks that included explicit calls for Trump’s killing, referencing Iran’s belief that the United States and Israel were responsible for Khamenei’s death. His comments, which appeared to be pre-approved, drew loud cheers from much of the audience, though some reactions were more restrained.
On the stage where the coffins were displayed, mourners wrote messages of loyalty and grief, including at least one written in English that read “Kill Trump.”
Official rhetoric
Iranian officials attending the ceremony echoed themes of resistance and retaliation, though not all used direct language. Mohammed Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, said mourners were united around two messages: resistance against enemies and revenge for the slain leader.
Khalil Shirgholami, Iran’s ambassador to Armenia, posted on social media that Khamenei’s death had strengthened, rather than weakened, Iran’s ideological resolve. His remarks framed the assassination as an attack on ideas rather than an individual.
The main funeral prayers were led by Ayatollah Ja’far Sobhani, a senior cleric from Qom. Prayers were offered not only for Khamenei but also for several family members killed alongside him, including his daughter-in-law and a 14-month-old granddaughter, whose small coffin drew visible emotion from the crowd.
Leadership absence
Noticeably absent from the public ceremony was Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed Iran’s new supreme leader 10 days after his father’s death. Unlike his three brothers, he was not seen at the mosque and has not appeared publicly since the assassination. Iranian officials have acknowledged that Mojtaba was injured in the initial attack but said his injuries were not permanent.
Despite his absence, images of Mojtaba alongside his father were widely displayed in the streets around the mosque. Clerics also distributed collections of his speeches, suggesting a continued effort to reinforce his leadership credentials.
Security and political backdrop
Senior figures from Iran’s political, military, and judicial leadership attended the ceremony, including top commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Their presence suggested confidence that the ceasefire with the United States would hold during the funeral events.
Some U.S. political commentators drew attention for remarks made online about the gathering. Laura Loomer described the funeral as a “target-rich environment,” while conservative commentator Mark Levin said it represented a missed opportunity. Iranian officials have not commented publicly on those statements.
Public response
Many attendees described their participation as an expression of grief rather than political theater. Mourners traveled from across the country, often staying overnight in mosques, schools, and private homes near the venue. Volunteers distributed food and water throughout the area, and nightly rallies continued in Tehran’s streets after the formal ceremony ended.
Participants interviewed by local media spoke of fear and trauma experienced during the conflict, as well as anger over the killing of a national leader during what they described as a period of negotiations rather than declared war.
Broader contrast
While central Tehran saw massive funeral crowds, other parts of the city appeared largely unchanged, with cafes and restaurants operating normally, particularly in wealthier northern districts. Observers noted a stark contrast between those participating in the funeral and those continuing daily life, highlighting longstanding social and economic divisions within Iranian society.
The funeral events are scheduled to continue with a mass procession in Tehran, followed by ceremonies in Qom, several Iraqi holy cities, and finally Mashhad, where Khamenei was born.
FAQs
What happened at Khamenei’s funeral in Tehran?
Mourners gathered for prayers amid political chants.
Were threats against Trump made publicly?
Yes, some speakers and signs called for his killing.
Who led the main funeral prayers?
Ayatollah Ja’far Sobhani from Qom.
Did Iran’s new supreme leader attend?
No, Mojtaba Khamenei was not seen publicly.
Will the funeral ceremonies continue?
Yes, events are planned in Iran and Iraq.
