President Pezeshkian Highlights Unity After Khamenei's Death
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that the passing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has taught the nation the critical importance of unity. In a post on X, Pezeshkian emphasized that Khamenei's leadership demonstrated that Iran's greatest asset is its people and their cohesion.
"The leadership of the martyr taught everyone that Iran's greatest asset is its people and their unity," Pezeshkian wrote. "Today, too, by acting upon the divine command 'that you stand for Allah in twos and singly,' with empathy, concord, and sincere service to the people, we will continue the path of Iran's honor, progress, and glory."
Funeral Procession Features Anti-Trump Sentiments
Mourners attending the funeral procession of Khamenei in Tehran on Monday carried banners and placards calling for the death of US President Donald Trump, as reported by Al Jazeera. Images from the event showed a banner reading "Kill Trump," with a bullet depicted running through the word "Trump." Other mourners displayed placards with images of US Vice President J.D. Vance, US War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by the phrase "There will be blood."
According to Euronews, the funeral ceremony also featured inflammatory remarks from eulogist Mohammad Rasouli, who called for Trump's death while addressing mourners before prayers over Khamenei's body on Sunday. "Why shouldn't we kill the one who killed my Imam and my Leader?" Rasouli said. "It is a disgrace for us if we do not kill your killer," he added.
Calls for Death to America and Israel
Euronews reported that posters and slogans supporting the killing of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were also visible around the ceremony. During his address, Rasouli urged attendees to chant "death to America" and "death to Israel," and declared that "Trump's killing is our duty." He was met with applause after asking the crowd, "Why is the most despicable man in the world still alive?"
These events underscore the deep-seated animosity toward the United States and Israel among segments of the Iranian population, particularly in the wake of Khamenei's death. The funeral served as a platform for expressing political grievances alongside mourning for the late Supreme Leader.
