Iranian Officials Attend Ayatollah Khamenei’s Funeral as Tensions Rise

Iran’s top officials publicly attended the funeral prayers for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Sunday. This event marked a rare appearance of key figures following the airstrike that killed Khamenei and other officials. It also sparked calls for the killing of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Public Appearances Amidst Security Concerns

Hundreds of thousands gathered in Tehran, led by top officials who had remained largely unseen since the Iran war’s onset. These appearances were risky given past airstrikes targeting public figures. However, Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly remains in hiding due to threats against his life.

Iranian nurse Ziba Naderi emphasized the nation’s need to follow Mojtaba Khamenei’s guidance. While many called for revenge, she stated, “Our leader should say what we need to do.”

Funeral Prayers and Calls for Retaliation

Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, a 97-year-old Shiite cleric, led the prayers. The attendees included Khamenei’s sons and Revolutionary Guard head Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, surrounded by security. Iran’s President and other high-ranking officials were also present.

Posters at the venue demanded the deaths of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Poet Mohammad Rasouli evoked “Death to America!” chants during his address to mourners.

Heightened Threats Against Trump

The same day, Trump delivered a speech in Washington, D.C., praising U.S. military actions against Venezuela and Iran. Amidst the funeral’s increased crowd presence, some mourners demanded retaliation against Trump for the killing of their leader.

The U.S. continues tracking Iranian threats against Trump since he ordered the 2020 killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Although Iran denies plotting against Trump, propaganda suggests otherwise. Trump had previously threatened to “destroy Iran’s civilization.”

Funeral Interrupts Diplomatic Talks

Ayatollah Khamenei’s body will be transported to various cities, ending with burial in Mashhad. Authorities instituted significant security measures for the mourning period, scheduled to conclude on Thursday.

Current negotiations to end the war remain delayed until after the funeral. Iran aims to leverage its control over the Strait of Hormuz in talks amid fears of further Israeli attacks. Mourner Mohammad Reza Sharifi stressed the importance of protecting national pride and seeking serious diplomatic responses to foreign threats.