Funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei unfolds in Iran as mourners pledge ‘revenge’

Mourners dressed in black poured into Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with massive crowds calling for President Donald Trump’s death and vowing revenge against the United States and Israel.

Khamenei’s coffin was carried through the Iranian capital alongside the coffins of family members killed in a Feb. 28 airstrike at the start of the war launched by Israel and the U.S.

Iran’s ruling theocracy encouraged the turnout as a show of strength while the regime remains locked in tense negotiations with Washington over an end to the war.

As the funeral truck moved slowly through the capital, mourners waved signs and banners targeting Trump. Some also called for the killing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and an effigy of Trump was seen hanging along the route.

“Today that we are here for the funeral for our leader, it’s a very tough day,” mourner Fatima Hassan said. “We are not here to say goodbye to him. We are here for revenge. And we will take revenge.”

Crowds reached out to touch the truck, while others tossed scarves and other items toward attendants to brush against the coffin — a common Iranian practice viewed as a blessing.

Khamenei’s casket was flown to the Shiite seminary city of Qom later Monday, where he is expected to be honored Tuesday, according to state television.

Yesterday’s Fox News Digital live blog offers additional coverage of the conflict with Iran.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.