Key facts
- Millions attended the funeral procession for Iran's former supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
- Khamenei was assassinated in February, along with family members, marking the start of a US and Israeli war against Iran.
- During the funeral, poet Mohammad Rasouli called for the killing of Donald Trump.
- Senior political, military, and judicial officials attended the funeral, suggesting assurances of safety.
- Mojtaba Khamenei, the new supreme leader, has been absent from public view for three months.
Millions of Iranians participated in funeral processions for the former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in February. During the ceremonies, public calls were made for vengeance against Donald Trump. Poet Mohammad Rasouli directly stated, "Trump’s murder is our responsibility. Why is the most bastard man in the world still alive? ... Why should we not kill the man who killed our imam? It would be a disgrace if we did not."
The funeral was designed to demonstrate Iran's social resilience following the assassination, which marked the beginning of a war against Iran by the US and Israel. The attendance of senior political, military, and judicial officials, including Al-Quds force commander Esmail Qaani and IRGC chief Ahmad Vahidi, suggested assurances that the conflict would not target the ceremony.
Notably, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed supreme leader 10 days after his father's death, has not been seen publicly for three months, a conspicuous absence that was highlighted by the presence of his brothers alongside their father's coffin.