Chants of ‘Kill Trump’ rang out at the funeral of Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Sunday by hundreds of thousands of mourners in Tehran.
The largest crowds yet are expected for the main funeral procession of slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Monday after two days of ceremonies over the weekend.
Khamenei body who was killed alongside several family members in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike had been lying in state since Friday but Sunday saw the first public viewing of his coffin.
The proceedings have been marked by signs of defiance and calls for revenge, including from a poet who read a piece attacking US President Donald Trump.
With electronic music blaring and free food and drinks on offer at hundreds of stalls, the area around late supreme leader’s ceremonies had the feel of a summer festival.
Volunteers provided fruit juice and water under a scorching sun in the capital’s city centre, on the third day of the funeral honouring Khamenei and four of his family members killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
The lively ambience stood in contrast to the solemn character of the nearby Grand Mosalla, where mourners paid their respects at a glass casket containing Khamenei’s coffin topped with his signature ceremonial turban.
Crowds wept as chants of ‘revenge, revenge’ echoed around the religious complex.
Mourners clad in black waved ‘red fist’ flags bearing the slogan ‘we must rise’, while others beat their chests in grief.
As the supreme leader’s body was carried out of the Mosalla, prayers were sung over the tannoy.
Ali Khamenei’s three sons attend his funeral and successor Mojtaba Khamenei has still not appeared publicly.
