**Title: Iranian Mourners Call for Vengeance on Trump During Khamenei Funeral Procession**
TEHRAN – Thousands of Iranians gathered in the streets of Tehran on Monday for a massive funeral procession honoring the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking the largest event in a week of memorial ceremonies. The outpouring of grief highlighted the enduring influence of Iran's clerical leadership amidst ongoing tensions with the United States.
Drone footage broadcasted by state television captured the sight of tens of thousands of mourners filling a central boulevard in Tehran. The procession featured the coffins of Khamenei and four family members, transported atop a large truck. To provide relief from the sweltering heat, fire hoses sprayed water over the crowd as they marched.
As the procession passed beneath a bridge, some mourners directed their anger toward a billboard depicting former U.S. President Donald Trump with a bullet graphic aimed at his head. The billboard bore the message, “The U.S. killed our father. We won’t let you go!” This expression of vengeance underscored the heightened emotions surrounding Khamenei's death, which many attributed to U.S. actions.
Participants in the procession waved Iranian flags and red banners inscribed with slogans calling for the “avengers of Khamenei,” a phrase rooted in Shi’ite Islamic tradition that commemorates the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson in the seventh century.
On the eve of the funeral, three of Khamenei's sons were seen praying beside their father's coffin at a large prayer hall in Tehran. However, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is believed to have sustained significant injuries in the attack that killed his father, was notably absent. His public appearances have been limited since the outbreak of war on February 28, which began with airstrikes from Israel and the U.S. targeting Iran.
The mourning ceremonies commenced on Friday, when the coffins of Khamenei, one of his daughters, her 14-month-old child, a son-in-law, and the wife of Mojtaba were displayed for Iranian officials and foreign dignitaries. Subsequent large-scale memorials took place over the weekend, culminating in Monday's extensive funeral procession.
Following the Tehran ceremonies, Khamenei's body is scheduled to be transported to Qom, a significant Shi’ite seminary city, as well as to two Shi’ite shrine cities in neighboring Iraq. The final burial will take place in Mashhad, within a medieval shrine complex.
The recent conflict has concluded with a preliminary peace agreement reached last month, which has allowed Iran's clerical leadership to maintain power and assert a claim of victory. This newfound influence is attributed to Iran's control over global energy supplies via the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
While Trump has also proclaimed a form of victory, key objectives outlined at the conflict's onset—such as dismantling Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities, curtailing its regional aggression, and fostering conditions for regime change—remain unfulfilled. Over the weekend, Trump noted that peace talks with Iran had been postponed for a week due to the ongoing funeral ceremonies.
In a statement on Monday, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz asserted that Khamenei's death was a direct consequence of his leadership in a program aimed at destroying Israel. Katz warned that any future Iranian leader who pursues similar objectives would face similar consequences.
The events surrounding Khamenei's funeral have not only highlighted the deep-seated animosities between Iran and the U.S. but also the complexities of leadership and public sentiment in Iran following a significant loss. As the country navigates its current geopolitical landscape, the legacy of Khamenei will likely continue to influence both domestic and international affairs.