U.S. President Donald Trump said he was surprised to see Iranians mourning the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stating he had assumed 'everyone hated him.' The remark, reported by Israeli media, comes as Trump continues to publicly comment on the funeral and the aftermath of Khamenei's death.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the public mourning for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, saying he had believed the late ayatollah was widely hated. The statement — 'I was surprised to see the Iranians mourning Khamenei, I was sure everyone hated him' — was carried by Israeli media outlets on Saturday evening.
The remark is the latest in a series of public comments by Trump on Iran since Khamenei's death. Over the past week, Trump told Axios he was watching the funeral, said he regretted wounding Khamenei's son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei, and reacted to a mourner's sign threatening to kill him. As The Zioneer previously reported, Trump has also said he believes Iranians want a deal, while the U.S. continues its air campaign against Iran.
Saturday's comment appeared to acknowledge a depth of public grief for the late leader that Trump did not anticipate. No official U.S. or Iranian response has been reported.
2 developments
- StrongAt Khamenei funeral, a mourner's sign threatens to kill Trump — Trump says he is watching
- DevelopingAnalysis: Trump knows Iran will avenge Khamenei assassination, fears being in crosshairs
- DevelopingTrump to Axios: I regret hurting Mojtaba Khamenei, he is severely wounded
- DevelopingTrump reportedly agrees to private meeting with Khamenei at Iran's request
Source and signal
- Internal intake