Funeral of Ali Khamenei Sparks Calls for Violence Against Trump and Netanyahu
During a large funeral for Ali Khamenei in Iran over the weekend, many participants, including speakers, vocally called for the assassination of President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Initial events on Saturday were reportedly smaller and calmer compared to the intense demonstrations held the following day. The crowds responded, in part, to a poem delivered by an official poet, Mohammad Rasouli, who mixed verses with incitements to kill Trump. He asserted, “From now on, the Shroud will be our clothing. I swear by your blood that we are responsible for Trump’s murder,” drawing fervent applause from the audience.
Rasouli passionately questioned why “the most despicable man in the world” remains alive, referring to Trump. He insisted on avenging their imam’s death, which greatly resonated with the crowd, leading to enthusiastic cheers.
Mohamed Baher Zorhardur, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, remarked on the atmosphere, saying that mourners were expressing both their grief and their demands for retaliation. As the coffins of Khamenei and his family were unveiled, some attendees wrote messages of sorrow but other inscriptions included hashtags like “#WeWillKillTrump,” and chants signaling a demand for vengeance echoed throughout the gathering.
At the funeral, men donned white robes, seemingly ready to embrace martyrdom, while many waved red flags, often interpreted as symbolic calls for retribution within Shiite Islam.
Mourners exhibited various placards demanding death for Trump, emphasizing that they weren’t just there to mourn but to seek revenge. One stated, “Today we are here for the funeral of our leader, and we will avenge his death against the United States and Israel.” Someone nearby echoed a similar sentiment, expressing that their gathering was a pledge to continue Khamenei’s legacy with determination.
A participant specifically stated, “I came here to scream and take revenge. They killed our imam. We should kill their leader Trump.” Others in attendance, including older women in black garments, indicated they were driven by a desire for bloody revenge.
As Khamenei’s funeral procession progressed, there were more banners calling for the killings of Trump and Netanyahu. The procession started from Iran’s Mehrabad International Airport and concluded in his native city of Mashad.
During the events, a portrait of Trump was hung, reportedly with a claim of a $100 million bounty on his head announced by Iranian factions. Chants filled the air, making clear that attendees were not interested in negotiations, but rather in achieving Trump’s demise. Some even chanted against Reza Pahlavi, the political figure associated with Iran’s last shah, indicating broader anti-foreign sentiment.
