Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning Monday, stating that any Iranian leader pursuing the destruction of Israel would be eliminated. The declaration coincided with the start of funeral processions for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.
"Khamenei, whose funeral is taking place now, was eliminated by Israel because he initiated and led the plan to destroy Israel in Iran and across the region," Katz said in a statement. "The destroyer has been destroyed. Any Iranian leader who again tries to advance plans for Israel’s destruction will likewise be eliminated."
Katz also commented on the anti-American and anti-Israeli sentiment observed during the funeral proceedings, noting that chants of "Death to Trump" reflected "the true nature of the ayatollahs’ regime, beyond its campaign of smiles and deception." He credited a "powerful attack on Iran, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump," with removing immediate existential threats to Israel and severely damaging Iran's strategic capabilities. Israel, he added, remains prepared to defend itself.
The funeral procession for Khamenei began Monday morning, marking the fourth day of week-long burial ceremonies. Khamenei's remains were to be transported through Tehran streets en route to Mehrabad International Airport. The procession was expected to last between 10 to 12 hours, according to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Brig. Gen. Hassan Hassanzadeh.
Regime supporters lined the streets, many carrying red flags symbolizing revenge, as reported by the IRGC-linked Fars News Agency. Throughout the funeral ceremonies, Iranian officials, state media, and supporters have repeatedly called for the deaths of President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia, spokesman for the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, stated that Tehran utilized a ceasefire with the United States to rebuild its military capabilities. "We are fully prepared and have used the ceasefire opportunity to improve our combat capability," he said, warning that any attack on Iran would elicit a response described as "more crushing and more regret-inducing than before."
The funeral ceremonies are scheduled to conclude Thursday with Khamenei's burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed as the Islamic Republic’s third supreme leader following his father’s death, had not been publicly seen at the ceremonies. Three of Ali Khamenei’s other sons appeared publicly Sunday, offering prayers over their father’s body. The New York Times reported, citing sources involved in funeral planning, that Mojtaba Khamenei’s proposal to attend the burial ceremony and lead a prayer was rejected by security officials due to concerns about potential assassination attempts or tracking by Israel. Mojtaba Khamenei was reportedly injured in the airstrike that killed his father and has not appeared publicly since the conflict began on February 28.