Hundreds of thousands of mourners in Iran screamed for revenge at the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike in February 2026. The funeral was held on July 4, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence, a timing that sparked chants of "Death to America" among the crowd.
Funeral Details and Timing
The ceremony took place at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran, where mourners wept at the sight of Khamenei's coffin alongside those of his family members killed in the same airstrike. The caskets included that of Mojtaba Khamenei's wife, though Mojtaba, the new Supreme Leader and son of the late ayatollah, was reportedly wounded in the attack and his appearance at the funeral remained unclear. Authorities did not acknowledge the July 4 timing, but the crowd's chants and banners reflected anti-American sentiment.
Mourner Reactions and Chants
Mourners chanted "Our word is one! Revenge! Revenge!" and carried banners reading "#KillTrump." Many beat their chests in a traditional Shiite mourning practice. "Imam Khamenei was our heart, our father, our everything," said mourner Masoumeh Mohammadi. "I still can't believe they martyred him. We will not rest until we avenge his death." Ali Kazemi, who traveled from Tabriz, 330 miles away, said, "We attended the funeral to show that we are all committed to defend our country and religion."
Political Context and Negotiations
The funeral occurred amid negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with concerns that Israel could launch another attack, potentially disrupting talks. Iran's chief negotiator Kazem Gharibabadi criticized a joint statement from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, who suggested their militaries were ready to patrol the Strait of Hormuz. The event may boost the new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, as the theocratic nation navigates post-war tensions.
