Anger at U.S., Israel, Trump and Netanyahu Dominates Khamenei Funeral in Tehran

Senior regime figures appeared publicly in Tehran, but new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remained hidden after reportedly being wounded in the strike that killed his father.

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Funeral ceremonies for slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei turned into a charged display of rage against the United States, Israel, President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as massive crowds gathered in Tehran and called for revenge.

The ceremonies, held at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, drew hundreds of thousands of mourners dressed in black, many carrying banners, flags, and images of Khamenei. But the grief quickly became political, with chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” echoing through the capital.

Posters and graffiti at the funeral site directly targeted Trump and Netanyahu, while speakers accused Washington and Jerusalem of responsibility for the strike that killed Khamenei at the opening of the war on February 28. Some mourners carried red flags, a Shiite symbol often associated with vengeance.

“We have come not for the funeral but for revenge,” one eulogist chanted, according to reports from the scene. Others in the crowd shouted, “Revenge! Revenge!” and “We will kill he who killed our imam.”

The anger was especially focused on Trump, who ordered the 2020 killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and has remained a central figure in Tehran’s anti-American rhetoric. During the funeral, speakers and mourners invoked Trump by name, with some calling for his death as the crowd responded with cheers.

Netanyahu was also singled out as Iran’s fury toward Israel remained central to the ceremonies. Israel has threatened further action against Iran’s leadership, including new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since reportedly being wounded in the strike that killed his father.

Senior Iranian officials attended the funeral prayers, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, and senior Revolutionary Guard figures. Khamenei’s sons Masoud, Meysam, and Mostafa were also seen publicly, marking a rare appearance after months in which top regime figures avoided exposure amid fears of Israeli targeting.

Yet Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence underscored the uncertainty surrounding Iran’s new leadership. Reuters has reported that he is believed to be in hiding after suffering serious injuries and disfigurement in the airstrike that killed his father.

The funeral comes as U.S.-Iran talks over a permanent end to the war remain paused until the mourning period concludes. Iran is also seeking leverage through its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, where disruptions have raised global energy concerns.

For Tehran, the funeral was intended to project strength, unity, and defiance. But the overwhelming tone was anger — anger at America, anger at Israel, anger at Trump, and anger at Netanyahu.

As Khamenei’s body is taken through Iran in days of mourning before burial in Mashhad, the regime is using the moment to rally its base around revenge.

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