Trump Says He Was Shocked by Scenes of Iranians Crying at Khamenei’s Funeral

US President Donald Trump said he was surprised after seeing images of Iranians crying during the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Mourners Demand Revenge as Massive Crowds Attend Khamenei Funeral in Tehran

Tehran/Dubai/Washington: Large crowds gathered in Tehran on Saturday as Iran began several days of funeral ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike at the outset of the recent conflict.

Thousands of mourners filled the streets, chanting slogans including “Death to Israel” and calling for revenge, reflecting heightened public anger following Khamenei’s death.

Reports suggested that Iranian authorities barred Mojtaba Khamenei from attending his father’s funeral over fears that Israel could target him. Meanwhile, the newly appointed commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy warned that Israel and the United States would face imminent “divine retribution.”

Amid the heightened tensions, media reports indicated that US-Iran negotiations are expected to resume on July 11, with discussions likely to include Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Authorities displayed the casket containing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s body in a glass enclosure at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran, drawing emotional scenes from large crowds of mourners.

Many attendees wept as they paid their respects, with some chanting slogans calling for revenge. Several mourners carried banners and red flags, which hold symbolic significance in Shiite tradition, while Khamenei’s images were displayed on billboards across the city.

Groups of men also performed chest-beating rituals, a customary expression of grief at some Shiite mourning ceremonies. During the gathering, a eulogist delivered messages of defiance, emphasizing that supporters would continue to seek justice for Khamenei’s death.

An 18-year-old student, Hamidreza Shabani, said mourners had gathered to honour their leader and called for retaliation, saying they would seek to avenge his death.

“I am here to bid farewell to my beloved leader Ali Khamenei,” said 27-year-old Hananeh Mousavi, who attended the funeral with her mother. She expressed deep sorrow over the loss, saying she never imagined witnessing such a moment.

An outdoor stage arranged at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran resembled the platform where Khamenei previously delivered speeches at a husseiniyah, a Shiite religious gathering hall located at his compound in central Tehran.

The site was reportedly destroyed in an Israeli airstrike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several members of his family at the beginning of the Iran war on February 28.

During the funeral ceremony, the caskets of his deceased family members were placed beneath his, which was covered with his black turban, a symbol identifying him as a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Some mourners were also seen carrying portraits of Mojtaba Khamenei, who has succeeded his father as Iran’s new Supreme Leader but has largely remained away from public appearances.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he was surprised by scenes of Iranians mourning at Khamenei’s funeral. According to reports by Al Jazeera, Trump told Axios that he had believed many Iranians opposed Khamenei and was shocked to see the public expressions of grief.

US President Donald Trump said in a phone interview that he had the capability to “eliminate everyone” attending the funeral but added that taking such action would leave no one to negotiate with if talks were to continue.

Speaking to Axios, Trump said Iran and the United States had agreed to pause negotiations until after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral, adding that neither side would carry out attacks during the funeral proceedings.

Meanwhile, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy warned that “divine retribution” against the United States and Israel was approaching, amid heightened tensions following Khamenei’s death.

Iran Warns of Retaliation as US-Iran Talks Set to Resume After Khamenei Funeral

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy chief Rear Admiral Ali Ozmaei said the country believes “divine retribution” against the United States and Israel is imminent, according to Iranian state media.

In a statement issued during the funeral ceremonies of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ozmaei said those responsible for Khamenei’s killing would face consequences, claiming the attack had failed to weaken Iran’s resolve.

Ozmaei is believed to have replaced Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, who was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in March.

Meanwhile, Acting Iranian Defence Minister Majid Ibn al-Reza said Tehran would deliver a “necessary and decisive” response if commitments under the memorandum of understanding with the United States were violated. Iranian state media reported that he said Iran agreed to the ceasefire arrangement at the request of regional countries despite its continued distrust of Washington.

US-Iran Negotiations Expected to Resume

Indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States are expected to resume on July 11 after the conclusion of Khamenei’s multi-day funeral ceremonies, according to reports by Saudi-owned Al Arabiya.

The talks are expected to focus on several key issues, including sanctions relief, frozen Iranian assets and Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The two countries last held technical discussions in Doha, which US President Donald Trump described as “very good.” Iran said the sides reached an understanding on the partial release of billions of dollars in frozen funds, although US officials reportedly disputed that claim.

The negotiations follow a memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and Tehran, giving both sides 60 days to work toward a broader agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Iran Prepares for Large Funeral Gatherings

Iranian authorities are expecting millions of people to attend week-long funeral events for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, aiming to recreate scenes similar to the 1989 funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Officials provided facilities including water, drinks, transport and other assistance to manage large crowds during the summer heat. Some attendees said they came to express support for defending their country and religious values.

Mojtaba Khamenei Reportedly Kept Away From Funeral

Reports said Iran’s security officials have prevented Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader, from attending his father’s burial ceremony due to concerns that Israel could target him or trace his location.

According to The New York Times, Mojtaba Khamenei had sought to attend the July 9 burial in Mashhad and perform funeral rites, but security officials reportedly rejected the request.

He has remained largely out of public view since the opening strikes of the Iran conflict on February 28, in which his father, wife and son were reportedly killed. His absence has raised concerns among some Iranian officials about the visibility and stability of his leadership.

The report added that while a statement attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei approved negotiations with the United States, some hardline conservatives have opposed diplomacy until he appears publicly or releases a voice recording confirming his position.

Meanwhile, hardline groups have called for legal action against Iranian negotiators, accusing them of compromising national interests.