Iranian poet calls for death of Donald Trump at Khamenei funeral

Mourners in Tehran take part in funeral ceremonies for the slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Source: Altaf Qadri/AP photo/dpa

Up to 20 million visitors are expected in Tehran alone for the six-day funeral ceremony for the slain religious leader Khamenei. At the event, an artist addressed the masses and gave free rein to his hatred of the USA.

At the funeral ceremony for the slain Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a speaker called for the death of US President Donald Trump in front of hundreds of thousands of people in Tehran. The poet Mohammad Rasouli asked the crowd over loudspeakers: "Why is the greatest bastard in the world still alive?" It was understood that he meant Trump. The remark was reportedly met with cheers and chants.

It was the first time at the official funeral ceremonies that a moderator or speaker had publicly and directly called for Trump's death. Earlier in the ceremonies, posters and graffiti with threats against Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had already been seen.

The coffins of the slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family members laid out. Source: Altaf Qadri/AP/dpa

Rasouli's statements also sparked cries of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel." There was also approval from the crowd when he declared that the world was "no longer a good place" for Trump.

New Supreme Leader Absent from Ceremonies

Later, the 97-year-old Shiite cleric Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani led a funeral prayer for Khamenei and his deceased family members. Among those present were:

• President Masoud Pezeshkian
• Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
• Revolutionary Guards Chief Ahmad Vahidi
• Esmail Ghaani, commander of the Quds Force

Several of Khamenei's sons also attended.

However, the new Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei — a son of the slain leader — was not present. According to reports, he was injured in the airstrike that killed his father. Israel has also reportedly threatened to kill him.

Water sprinklers provide cooling so the masses can endure the heat. Source: ATTA KENARE/AFP

On the second day of the funeral, significantly more people gathered than before. Many participants wore black clothing as well as banners and flags in honor of Khamenei. Some banners again called for Trump's death. Iranian authorities expect 15 to 20 million participants in Tehran alone. A total of six days of funeral ceremonies are planned for Khamenei, who shaped Iran as its supreme leader from 1989 until his death in late February.

Background

Khamenei was killed on February 28 by an Israeli airstrike on his official residence in Iran's capital. The US and Israel then waged war against Iran for more than five weeks, until representatives from Washington and Tehran agreed on a ceasefire in early April.

His body will remain in Tehran until Monday. After that, ceremonies are planned in the pilgrimage city of Qom and neighboring Iraq, before Khamenei is to be buried on Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad.

A mourner from the crowd. Source: -/AFP

Khamenei's burial is considered an important moment for the Iranian leadership and the new Supreme Leader.