US President Donald Trump said he was surprised by the scale of public mourning following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying he had expected widespread public resentment rather than large funeral gatherings.
Speaking to Axios, Trump remarked, “I was shocked. I thought people hated him,” after seeing images of hundreds of thousands of mourners attending the funeral ceremonies in Tehran.
The funeral, which began on July 4, drew massive crowds to Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, where Khamenei’s flag-draped coffin was placed alongside the coffins of family members who were also killed in the February 28 airstrike. Mourners gathered in large numbers, chanting slogans in support of Iran’s leadership and calling for retaliation against Israel and the United States.
The public display of mourning contrasted with Trump’s expectations and highlighted the continued support Khamenei commanded among many Iranians. Authorities deployed extensive security around the venue, with armed police, body searches, and metal detector screenings in place to manage the crowds.
The funeral also comes at a sensitive moment for Iran as the country navigates heightened regional tensions and ongoing diplomatic discussions with the United States. Reports indicate that negotiations related to the conflict have been temporarily paused until the conclusion of the mourning period.
Observers say the ceremonies may reinforce the position of Iran’s ruling establishment as the country enters a new phase of leadership following Khamenei’s death.