Funeral ceremonies for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were marked by fierce anti-American chants, with mourners calling for revenge against the United States and rejecting any future agreement with Washington.
Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran on Monday to pay their final respects to Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike on 28 February. During the procession, some mourners were heard chanting, “We don’t want a deal, we want Trump’s head,” reflecting growing anger among supporters of the Iranian leadership.
Iranian authorities have described Khamenei as a martyr, and his death has fuelled an emotional response among government supporters, many of whom believe negotiations with the United States should end.
One mourner, 58-year-old Gholamreza Khanbabai, who also attended the 1989 funeral of Ruhollah Khomeini, said this year’s ceremony carried an even stronger sense of emotion and determination.
He recalled that while Khomeini’s funeral also drew huge crowds, the atmosphere surrounding Khamenei’s burial appeared even more intense.
Khomeini’s funeral in 1989 was one of the largest public gatherings in Iran’s history, with state media reporting that around 10 million people attended. The event turned chaotic after crowds overwhelmed the vehicle carrying his body, causing his shroud to tear and his coffin to fall. More than 10 people were killed and thousands were injured in the crush.
Calls For Revenge
Several mourners insisted Iran should retaliate against the United States instead of pursuing diplomacy.
A 65-year-old attendee identified only as Kazemi said revenge was necessary to prevent further attacks.
“We want revenge because if nothing is done, the situation will only get worse,” he said.
Another mourner, Ali Heydari, 50, dismissed last month’s memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, saying any agreement had become meaningless after Khamenei’s death.
“What is the point of that memorandum? We have no peace or friendship with those who killed our leader,” he said.
Iran Seeks To Project Unity
The funeral also served as an opportunity for the Iranian government to demonstrate national unity following five weeks of conflict involving the United States and Israel.
The strike that killed Khamenei and several senior Iranian officials came after escalating regional tensions and military exchanges involving Tehran, Washington and Tel Aviv.
Although official attendance figures have yet to be released, local media described the turnout as one of the largest since the 2020 funeral of Qasem Soleimani, which Iranian authorities said attracted around seven million mourners.
Analysts believe Khamenei’s funeral is likely to become a powerful political symbol as Iran continues to face international pressure and heightened tensions with the United States and its allies.
