'Why is Trump still alive?': Performer calls for US President's death at Khamenei funeral

A performer at the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for the death of US President Donald Trump on Sunday, drawing loud cheers from hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran.

According to a report by The Associated Press, the remarks came during the second day of funeral ceremonies for Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on February 28 during the recent Iran-Israel conflict.

The event also featured repeated chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel," reflecting the deep hostility that continues to shape relations between Tehran, Washington and Tel Aviv.

Performer's remarks draw loud applause

According to the report, the controversial remarks were made by Iranian poet Mohammad Rasouli, who addressed the mourners through loudspeakers during the funeral ceremony.

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Referring to Trump, Rasouli asked the crowd, "Why is the most bas***d man in the world still alive?"

The statement was met with loud applause and cheers from those attending the funeral. Rasouli then added that "the world is no longer a good place for" Trump, prompting another round of cheering, the report said.

The funeral venue was also filled with banners and posters carrying anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans, including calls for the killing of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The comments came even as Iran remains engaged in negotiations with the US over a permanent agreement to end the conflict that disrupted regional stability and global energy supplies.

Senior leaders attend funeral

Later in the ceremony, senior Shiite cleric Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani led funeral prayers for Khamenei and members of his family at Tehran's Grand Mosalla.

Among those present were Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Revolutionary Guard commander Gen. Ahmad Vahidi and Esmail Qaani, the head of the Quds Force. Khamenei's sons Masoud, Meysam and Mostafa also attended the ceremony.

However, Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei did not appear publicly. Media reports have suggested he remains in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the same airstrike that killed his father. Israel has also threatened to target him.

Funeral held amid continued tensions

According to the report, the second day of funeral ceremonies attracted a much larger crowd than Saturday's events. Many mourners dressed in black carried Iranian flags, portraits of Khamenei and banners denouncing the United States and Israel.

The funeral took place as Trump addressed celebrations in Washington marking the 250th independence anniversary of the United States. During his speech, Trump praised the American military's recent actions, saying, "We wiped it out, wiped out their military," while referring to Iran.

US authorities have monitored alleged threats against Trump from Iran since he ordered the 2020 killing of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. While Tehran has repeatedly denied plotting to assassinate Trump, hard-line groups have frequently used anti-Trump rhetoric and propaganda.