In an interview with Axios, Trump said Iran’s senior leadership was gathered at the funeral, adding that the US “could have taken them all out in a single strike.” He said such an action was avoided because “there would have been no one left to negotiate with.” Trump also mocked the mourners, suggesting the tears seen during the funeral “might even have been fake.”

Iran strongly condemned the remarks. Responding through its embassy in Armenia, Tehran said, “People can be killed, but ideas cannot. You have neither civilisation, nor history, nor honour.”

Meanwhile, millions of mourners continued to gather for a third day at Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran to pay their final respects to Ayatollah Khamenei. Crowds raised slogans including “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” during the ceremonies.

According to Iranian authorities, delegations from more than 100 countries attended the state funeral.

Security across Tehran was significantly tightened for the funeral, with heavy deployment of military and police personnel. Metro services and government buses were made free for mourners, hotels reportedly offered discounted accommodation, thousands of schools were opened for visitors, and special trains were operated from different parts of the country.

Iran has also announced the suspension of indirect talks with the United States during the mourning period. In addition, Tehran has refused to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect its nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, further escalating tensions over its nuclear programme.

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