Middle East crisis Situation in Iran

Fatima: Not here to mourn – here for revenge

Iranians loyal to the regime both mourned and demanded revenge on Monday in connection with the funeral procession for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

“We are not here to say goodbye, we are here to take revenge. And we will take revenge,” participant Fatima Hassan told the AP news agency.

Several flags and banners with anti-American messages were seen in the crowds in Tehran, including “Death to Trump.” People also threw stones at a sign with Donald Trump’s face that had been hung on a bridge that the long funeral procession passed.

Analysis: Iran Strengthens Grip on Hormuz – in the Shadow of the Funeral


Millions of people have gathered in Tehran to mourn former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, the Iranian regime is intensifying the fight for expanded control over the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Guardian's Patrick Wintour.

Over the past 48 hours, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has warned ships that have used an alternative southern route near Oman. Several of them have chosen to turn back. According to Wintour's analysis, Iran is trying to regain control of shipping after ships increasingly chose the northern and more mined route.

The BBC's Paul Adams notes that the fragile ceasefire mainly appears to hold since it was agreed three weeks ago. But the recurring incidents around the Strait of Hormuz – and the fact that none of the fundamental issues of the conflict have been resolved – show that the situation is as uncertain as before, writes Adams.

Most signs during the mourning procession: “We will kill Trump”

Red flags and signs with the text “We will kill Trump” are visible in the sea of ​​black-clad people as the coffin of former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is carried through the city of Tehran. This is reported by several media outlets.

The signs also contain texts about US Vice President JD Vance and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Some of the signs make connections to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in order to make them appear corrupt, writes the New York Times.

The red flags are often used as a symbol of martyrdom and send signals of revenge, writes CNN. At the same time, the crowds are said to have chanted “Death to the USA, death to Israel”.

The funeral procession is expected to last about twelve hours, officials told state media, writes the BBC.