Thousands of pro-regime demonstrators in Tehran displayed posters of Donald Trump and other U.S. figures, including Senator JD Vance and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, during the funeral procession for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The posters featured crosshairs over the faces of the individuals, accompanied by seven-word death threats such as 'Sooner or later, your heads will roll' and 'There will be blood.'
Chants of 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' echoed through the capital as Khamenei's coffin was carried. Demonstrators were also seen setting U.S. and British flags ablaze and throwing rocks at pictures of Trump. An effigy of Trump hanging from a noose was visible near the front of the procession.
Khamenei, 86, was killed on February 28 in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on his Tehran residence at the onset of the war. His 36-year tenure as supreme leader was characterized by the suppression of civilians and the support of anti-American militant groups in the region. Khamenei's wife, daughter-in-law, and infant granddaughter were also killed in the strike. Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, who reportedly succeeded his father, is believed to have been wounded and is in hiding.
Former President Trump commented on the funeral services, suggesting that the concentration of Iran's leadership in one location would present an opportunity for a single strike. He added that the U.S. would not act on such an impulse, as the presence of negotiators is desired. Recently, the U.S. and Iran, with Pakistan's mediation, signed a memorandum of understanding that established a ceasefire and a 60-day extension of hostilities. Negotiations for a final peace deal concerning Iran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz are scheduled in the coming months.
Leaders and representatives from Russia, China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and other nations have attended Khamenei's funeral. The large turnout is being utilized by Iran's government to project an image of stability and continued authority following months of U.S. and Israeli strikes. Earlier this year, under Khamenei's leadership, thousands of anti-regime protesters were reportedly killed in cities across Iran.