Loyalists to the Iranian regime called for the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump during funeral processions for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday. Footage from Tehran showed individuals holding banners with messages such as "Kill Trump" and "There will be blood," alongside images of the president with crosshairs.
These demonstrations occurred during the six-day funeral procession for Khamenei, who was killed in Israeli airstrikes during the initial hours of the Iran War. The U.S. and Iran currently observe a cease-fire for the duration of the funeral ceremonies.
Calls for retribution have intensified in recent days, with senior Iranian clerics reportedly stating that assassinating Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a religious duty. The Assembly of Experts issued a statement asserting that killing "the wicked prime minister of the Zionist regime" and "the criminal American president" must be carried out "under any circumstances." Days prior, hardliners within the assembly claimed it was a moral obligation for anyone with access to Trump to seek revenge "on American soil."
President Trump reiterated on Monday that peace talks with Iran have been delayed for a week due to the funeral ceremonies. He also restated his threat of military action, stating the U.S. would either reach a deal or "finish the job."
Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, stated that Khamenei was killed because he spearheaded a program to destroy Israel, adding that "Any Iranian leader who will again try to pursue plans to destroy Israel will be killed as well."
While thousands attended the funeral procession in Tehran, analysts and some Iranian officials caution that the crowd size does not necessarily indicate popular support for continued theocratic rule. Some attendees, like a retired teacher who identified himself only as Hamidreza, stated they were present to witness history or fulfill a religious duty rather than to express political allegiance. Analysts estimate that hardline support in Iran hovers around 15-20% of the population, based on election results. The funeral marks the first for a supreme leader since 1989, when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was buried amidst scenes of high ideological fervor.