Eulogist at Khamenei funeral in Iran calls for death of Donald Trump
Eulogist at Khamenei's Funeral in Iran Demands Trump's Death
Eulogist at Khamenei funeral in Iran - On July 5, 2026, a pivotal moment unfolded at the funeral of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran, where a eulogist named Mohammad Rasouli delivered a fiery speech calling for the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump. The ceremony, which drew a significantly larger audience than the day prior, marked a symbolic turning point in the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Iran and the United States. As the funeral procession moved through the city, Rasouli's words resonated with the crowd, blending religious fervor with political defiance.
A Call for Retribution
Speaking before the traditional prayers over Khamenei's body, Rasouli addressed the attendees with a sharp critique of American policies. “Why shouldn’t we kill the one who killed my Imam and my Leader?” he asked, his voice echoing through the hall. This statement, which linked Trump’s actions to the perceived betrayal of Iran’s spiritual and political leadership, was met with thunderous applause. The eulogist further emphasized the urgency of the demand, declaring: “It is a disgrace for us if we do not kill your killer.”
“Why shouldn’t we kill the one who killed my Imam and my Leader?” said Mohammad Rasouli, invoking the legacy of Khamenei’s leadership. “It is a disgrace for us if we do not kill your killer,” he added, as the crowd chanted in solidarity.
As the ceremony progressed, banners and slogans urging the elimination of both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were prominently displayed. The messages, which read “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” underscored the deep-seated anger toward U.S. and Israeli involvement in Iran’s regional conflicts. The eulogist’s call for retribution extended beyond Trump, with attendees encouraged to chant phrases that reflected broader anti-American sentiment.
Rasouli’s speech also highlighted the duty of Iranians to exact vengeance, stating, “Trump’s killing is our duty.” This assertion aligned with the symbolic red flags waved by many in the audience, bearing the phrase “Ya Litharat al-Hussein,” a reference to the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the third Imam of Shia Islam. The flags, which adorned the ceremony’s periphery, served as a powerful reminder of historical grievances against foreign powers, particularly those perceived as responsible for the Imam’s death.
Historical Symbolism and Political Context
The red flag, “Ya Litharat al-Hussein,” has long been associated with Iran’s revolutionary zeal and the pursuit of justice for past injustices. By raising it above the dome of Tehran’s Mosalla during the funeral, Rasouli emphasized the connection between Khamenei’s death and the collective desire for retribution against adversaries. This imagery was further reinforced by the presence of other red flags, which many participants carried as a visual representation of their resolve to uphold the legacy of Iran’s leadership.
The event occurred amid continuing negotiations between Washington and Tehran to conclude the Iran war, a conflict that has seen decades of military and diplomatic clashes. Despite the solemnity of the occasion, the eulogist’s remarks injected a sense of urgency into the talks, suggesting that the Iranian public remains deeply invested in the outcomes of these discussions. The larger-than-usual crowd at Sunday’s ceremony, compared to the previous day, indicated heightened anticipation and national unity in the face of external threats.
Rasouli’s speech also drew parallels between the assassination of Khamenei and the broader U.S. strategy in the region. “It is not just a personal loss,” he said, “but a national wound that must be healed through decisive action.” The eulogist’s words resonated with a generation of Iranians who have witnessed the impact of American interventions, from the 1953 coup that reinstated the Shah to the 2020 killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. These events have shaped a narrative of perpetual conflict, with Trump positioned as a central figure in the cycle of violence.
“Trump’s killing is our duty,” Rasouli declared, as the crowd’s chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” grew louder. His remarks, delivered in a tone of both grief and resolve, framed the U.S. leader as an enemy of Iran’s spiritual and political integrity.
Trump’s Remarks and Strategic Posturing
Meanwhile, in a separate address on the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, Trump reaffirmed his administration’s stance on Iran. Speaking from Mount Rushmore, he boasted that the United States had “knocked the hell out of Iran” and that Tehran was “dying to settle” with Washington. “They want to settle so badly,” he continued, “we gave him a week off for a funeral because we’re nice.” This statement, which echoed the confidence of the Trump administration in its military superiority, was seen as a strategic move to signal strength while maintaining the possibility of diplomatic engagement.
Trump’s remarks also hinted at a deeper connection to the events in Tehran. Earlier in January 2026, he had told News Nation that he had issued “very firm instructions” to “wipe them off the face of this Earth” if Iran ever attempted to assassinate him. While the eulogist’s call for Trump’s death was a direct expression of Iranian anger, Trump’s own words suggested a readiness to retaliate should the situation escalate. This mutual antagonism, however, did not preclude the potential for dialogue, as the U.S. leader observed that the “funeral” of Khamenei provided a window for negotiation.
The intersection of mourning and political fervor at Khamenei’s funeral revealed the dual nature of the event. While it was a moment of collective grief for the Iranian people, it also served as a platform for rallying public support against perceived enemies. The eulogist’s demand for Trump’s death, combined with the symbolic red flags and chants, underscored the intensity of the emotions driving the ceremony. For many attendees, the funeral was not merely a religious observance but a declaration of Iran’s unyielding stance in the face of American pressure.
Historical context further intensified the significance of Rasouli’s speech. The phrase “Ya Litharat al-Hussein” has been a rallying cry for Iranian revolutionaries since the 1979 revolution, symbolizing the fight for justice after the Imam’s martyrdom. By invoking this symbol at Khamenei’s funeral, Rasouli linked the current tensions to a centuries-old struggle against foreign domination. This connection resonated deeply with the audience, reinforcing the idea that Trump’s assassination was not just a political act but a continuation of a historical narrative of resistance.
In an interview with Axios, Trump reiterated his focus on the Iranian leadership’s actions. “They are all there,” he said, referring to the attendees at Khamenei’s funeral, “one shot [and we can take them all out], but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with.” This statement highlighted the U.S. president’s strategic mindset, balancing the desire for retribution with the need for diplomatic leverage. While the eulogist’s call for Trump’s death echoed the sentiment of the Iranian people, the U.S. leader’s words suggested a calculated approach to maintaining the status quo.
The funeral in Tehran thus became a microcosm of the broader conflict between the two nations. On one side, Rasouli and the crowd expressed their anger at Trump’s policies, while on the other, the U.S. president positioned himself as a key figure in the ongoing struggle. The event, with its mix of religious symbolism and political rhetoric, underscored the complex dynamics of the Iran-U.S. rivalry, where grief and defiance are inextricably linked. As the ceremony concluded, the question lingered: Would the eulogist’s words translate into action, or would they remain a powerful statement in the context of an ongoing geopolitical standoff?