Anti-US chants erupt at Khamenei funeral as crowd targets Trump, Netanyahu

TEHRAN: Strong anti-US and anti-Israel slogans echoed through Iran’s capital as hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered at the Grand Mosalla for the funeral ceremony of Iran’s Supreme Leader, with chants and banners condemning the United States and Israel dominating the event.

According to reports from the gathering, sections of the crowd shouted slogans calling for the death of Donald Trump, while posters and graffiti displayed messages directed against both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The funeral drew one of the largest public gatherings seen in Tehran in recent years, with mourners filling streets surrounding the Grand Mosalla. The ceremony featured religious prayers, speeches and public expressions of support for Iran’s leadership amid heightened regional tensions.

Poet Mohammad Rasouli, who served as the master of ceremonies before the funeral prayers, led chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” slogans that have long been heard at official political and religious events in Iran.

During his address, Rasouli criticized Trump in highly inflammatory terms and posed a rhetorical question to the crowd about why the US president was still alive. His remarks were met with loud cheers and chants from many attendees, reflecting the intense emotions present at the ceremony.

The slogans and speeches underscored the deep hostility that continues to define relations between Iran, the United States and Israel. Political tensions have remained elevated following years of military confrontations, sanctions and diplomatic disputes across the Middle East.

While the funeral was primarily held to honor Iran’s late leader, it also became a platform for political messaging, with many participants carrying flags, portraits and banners expressing opposition to Washington and Tel Aviv.

Analysts say such demonstrations are consistent with the rhetoric often seen at major state-backed events in Iran, where anti-US and anti-Israel messages frequently accompany official ceremonies. The gathering highlighted the continuing geopolitical divide at a time of heightened uncertainty across the region.

The funeral concluded with prayers and tributes as mourners continued to fill Tehran’s streets. The event is expected to have significant political and symbolic implications, with observers closely watching how Iran’s leadership and its international rivals respond in the coming days.