Iran enters day two of Khamenei funeral, crowds chant 'Death to America'

The state funeral for Ali Khamenei, who served as Iran's Supreme Leader from 1989 until his elimination in February 2026, entered its second day in Tehran with a significant display of ideological hostility. Mourners filed past a glass casket containing the late leader's body, a public display intended to galvanize the regime's core support base during a volatile leadership transition. ### Escalating Rhetoric Reports from Persian-language channels and material reviewed by The Zioneer Intelligence Desk indicate that the ceremonies have become a platform for direct threats against the West. Crowds were observed chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel," while some participants brandished signs explicitly calling for the killing of President Donald Trump. These chants were reportedly coordinated by event organizers, signaling the regime's intent to maintain its foundational adversarial stance. ### Strategic Context The timing of the funeral, coinciding with the U.S. Independence Day on July 4, has been noted by analysts as a symbolic provocation. This comes amid high-stakes maritime friction in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing diplomatic maneuvering. The persistence of these slogans challenges external assessments that the Islamic Republic might moderate its rhetoric following Khamenei's death. Instead, the organized nature of the "blood revenge" chants suggests that hardline elements within the security establishment remain committed to a policy of confrontation with Washington and Jerusalem.