US president Donald Trump said that he was surprised to see thousands mourn former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, and that just "one shot" could take out all the regime's leaders who've assembled at the funeral.
“They are all there. One shot and we can take them all out, but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with," Trump told Axios yesterday.
Iran strongly criticised Trump's remark, terming it offensive in a strongly worded statement, defending the late supreme leader’s legacy.
"People can be killed, but ideals cannot. You killed Ayatollah Khamenei, but in reality, you broke a perfume bottle whose scent spread everywhere," Iran’s embassy in Yerevan said on X.
Khamenei’s coffin has been put on display outdoors at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran, along with those of his family members killed along with him in the US attacks in February, including his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and 14-month-old granddaughter.
His son and new leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen publicly since the attack.
Thousands of mourners have gathered at the courtyard of the Khomeini Grand Mosalla, with several calling for revenge, and chanting "Death to America!".
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Key Points
- Trump says 'one shot' can take out all Iranian leaders
Trump hints Netanyahu could visit US this week
10:00 , Vishwam SankaranUS president Donald Trump told Axios yesterday that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a meeting with Washington.
Trump hinted that this meeting could take place in the US as early as next week.
Khamenei's three sons attend funeral, not his successor
09:30 , Vishwam SankaranThree of Ali Khamenei's sons attended the slain supreme leader's funeral and prayed beside his coffin today, but Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the son who has succeeded him, did not make an appearance.
He is reportedly wounded in the airstrike that killed his father on 28 February, when Israel and the US bombed Iranian targets.
Mojtaba is believed to be in hiding, suffering significant injury to his face and one or both legs, according to Reuters.
Ali Khamenei's coffin was displayed outdoors under glass, along with those of his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and 14-month-old granddaughter.
Iran confirms new fees for ships through Hormuz with special treatment for allies
08:42 , Vishwam SankaranIran has confirmed it is planning to levy new service fees for ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, and has promised special treatment for its allies who assisted the regime during the war with the US and Israel.
Iran’s Ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, made the announcement yesterday during the World Peace Forum in Beijing.
Tehran is working with Oman on a new framework to manage traffic through the Strait, he said.
It remains unclear when the new system would take effect.
'One shot' can take out all Iranian leaders, Trump says
08:05 , Vishwam SankaranUS president Donald Trump said all of Iran's top leaders gathered to mourn slain leader Ali Khamenei were within reach.
“They are all there. One shot and we can take them all out, but we are not going to do that," Trump told Axios yesterday.
“We beat Venezuela in one day, and we knocked the hell out of Iran; they’re dying to settle. They want to settle so badly. We gave him a week off for a funeral because we’re nice,” the US president said.
Iran responded, defending Khamenei's legacy, comparing him to a "perfume bottle whose scent spread everyplace".
“People can be killed, but ideals cannot. You killed Ayatollah Khamenei, but in reality, you broke a perfume bottle whose scent spread everyplace," said Iran’s embassy in Yerevan.
Iran-US War
08:04 , Vishwam SankaranWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of the US-Israel war against Iran.
A six-day funeral for slain Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei is underway in Tehran.
You can follow the latest updates here
