Khamenei Funeral Draws Massive Crowds As US-Iran Talks Pause Amid Trump’s Comments
Millions Join Khamenei Funeral as Diplomatic Uncertainty Persists
Massive Turnout Marks Final Farewell in Tehran
HUGE crowds gathered across Tehran as Iran commenced the funeral ceremonies for its late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose death during the recent conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States has become one of the defining moments in the region’s latest geopolitical crisis.
State television broadcast images showing tens of thousands of mourners lining a 10-kilometre funeral route stretching from Imam Hossein Square to Azadi Square as Khamenei’s flag-draped coffin was transported through the capital. Iranian state media estimated that millions participated in the procession, which followed two days of lying in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla Mosque.
The funeral formed part of three days of national mourning before ceremonies continue in the religious city of Qom, Iraq’s holy cities of Karbala and Najaf, and finally conclude with Khamenei’s burial at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad.
National Leaders Join Public Mourning
Several senior Iranian political figures attended the funeral ceremonies.
President Masoud Pezeshkian joined mourners on the streets of Tehran and paid tribute to the late leader, describing him as a symbol of national unity whose leadership strengthened Iran during periods of internal and external challenges.
Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also made a rare public appearance during the procession, marking one of his first major public engagements since the outbreak of the recent conflict.
Although three of Khamenei’s sons were present during prayers held at the Grand Mosalla Mosque, Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father as Supreme Leader, did not appear publicly. Reports indicate he remains out of public view after reportedly sustaining injuries during the Israeli airstrike that killed his father.
Anti-US and Anti-Israel Sentiment Dominates Procession
The funeral procession also reflected deep public anger over the conflict that claimed thousands of lives.
Many mourners waved Iranian flags alongside red banners symbolising vengeance, while placards condemned the United States and Israel over the military operation that resulted in Khamenei’s death.
Some demonstrators displayed slogans demanding retaliation, while others directed criticism toward US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose governments coordinated the military offensive against Iran earlier this year.
Trump Reacts to Funeral Crowds
As the ceremonies unfolded, President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the scale of public mourning.
Speaking in an interview reported by Axios and cited by Al Jazeera, Trump said he was “shocked” to see large numbers of Iranians mourning Khamenei.
“I thought people hated him,” Trump reportedly remarked.
Trump further stated that although the United States possessed the military capability to strike those attending the funeral, such an action would eliminate prospects for future diplomacy.
According to the interview, he said there would be “no one left to negotiate” if such military action were taken.
Diplomatic Talks Temporarily Suspended
Trump also disclosed that Washington and Tehran had agreed to suspend negotiations until the completion of Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies.
According to him, both governments had agreed that neither side would undertake military action during the mourning period, allowing funeral events to proceed without further escalation.
The temporary pause comes less than three weeks after Iran and the United States signed a preliminary framework intended to end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, and begin negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and a permanent ceasefire.
While indirect talks mediated by Qatar have reportedly shown encouraging progress, diplomats say the continuation of negotiations may depend largely on the political atmosphere following the conclusion of the funeral ceremonies.
