Iran Poet Urges Trump's Killing at Funeral for Ali Khamenei, Dead Since Feb. 28
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 6
Iran Poet Urges Trump's Killing at Funeral for Ali Khamenei, Dead Since Feb. 28
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 6
Summary
Mohammad Rasouli used Ali Khamenei’s funeral procession in Tehran to declare that killing Donald Trump was Iran’s “responsibility,” tying the threat directly to Khamenei’s death on Feb. 28.
The call came during a week of mass ceremonies staged to project Iranian resilience after the US-Israeli war, with senior political, military and judicial officials appearing publicly under a tentative US-backed ceasefire.
Esmail Qaani and IRGC chief Ahmad Vahidi were both visible at the funeral—an appearance that would have been inconceivable earlier in the conflict and suggested confidence the ceremony would not be attacked.
Mojtaba Khamenei, appointed supreme leader 10 days after his father’s death, has still not appeared publicly or issued an audio message in three months, even as his brothers stood beside the coffin.
With Iran’s new leader unseen for three months, who is truly commanding the nation's war effort and nuclear program?
As assassination threats meet stalled peace talks, is the world on the brink of a wider, uncontrollable conflict?
When a world leader can overturn a referee's decision, has international sport lost its independence from political power?
After Khamenei: Iran’s Leadership Crisis, US-Israel Tensions, and the Global Fallout of the 2026 Assassination
Overview
The assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli airstrike on July 1, 2026, shocked Iran and united millions in grief and solidarity. Massive, meticulously planned funeral ceremonies drew over 10 million participants in Tehran, reflecting widespread respect for Khamenei despite his controversial legacy. The Iranian public viewed the assassination as an unacceptable act of aggression, fueling strong national outrage and calls for unity. This event triggered a swift leadership transition, hardening Iran’s stance against the US and Israel, and escalated regional tensions, disrupting global energy markets and making peace efforts more difficult.