At the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Sunday, a eulogist delivered a fiery address that included explicit calls for the death of US President Donald Trump. Speaking before prayers over Khamenei's body at the Mosalla prayer ground, Mohammad Rasouli asked the crowd, “Why shouldn't we kill the one who killed my Imam and my Leader?” He added, “It is a disgrace for us if we do not kill your killer.”
The remarks come amid delicate negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the Iran war, a conflict that has drawn in regional actors and raised concerns across European capitals. The funeral, which drew a large crowd, also featured posters and slogans supporting the killing of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Symbolism and Rhetoric
Rasouli urged attendees to chant “death to America” and “death to Israel,” and declared that “Trump's killing is our duty.” The crowd applauded when he asked, “Why is the most despicable man in the world still alive?” A red flag bearing the phrase “Ya Litharat al-Hussein” (“O Avengers of Hussein”) was raised above the dome of the Mosalla, a symbol of seeking vengeance for the killing of Hussein ibn Ali, the third Imam of Shia Islam. Many participants carried red flags as a sign of retribution.
These developments occur against a backdrop of heightened rhetoric from both sides. Trump told News Nation in January that he had given “very firm instructions” to “wipe them off the face of this Earth” if Iran ever tried to assassinate him. Speaking from Mount Rushmore on the eve of America's 250th anniversary, Trump said the US had “knocked the hell out of Iran” and that Tehran was “dying to settle.” He added, “We gave him a week off for a funeral because we're nice.”
European Implications
For European observers, the funeral and its incendiary language underscore the fragility of the region. The European Union has long sought to mediate between Iran and the US, with Western nations notably absent from the funeral, a sign of diplomatic distance. The ongoing negotiations over the Iran war have direct consequences for European security, particularly regarding energy markets, migration flows, and the stability of the Middle East.
In an interview with Axios, Trump said he was keeping an eye on Khamenei's funeral, a remark that suggests the White House is monitoring the situation closely. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the crowd at Sunday's ceremony was significantly larger than the one gathered the previous day, reflecting the deep emotional resonance of Khamenei's death among his supporters.
The call for Trump's assassination, while likely rhetorical, raises the stakes for any diplomatic resolution. European leaders, who have consistently advocated for de-escalation, now face a renewed challenge: balancing their strategic interests in the region with the need to condemn such explicit threats. The funeral in Tehran serves as a stark reminder that the path to peace remains fraught with hostility.
