Trump says Iran’s leadership was ‘all there’ at Khamenei funeral, claims Tehran wants nuclear deal

US President Donald Trump said he closely followed the funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and claimed that Iran’s top leadership had gathered in one place during the event.

In an interview with Axios, Trump suggested the gathering could have presented a military opportunity but said the United States would not act because of ongoing diplomatic efforts.

“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 the outlet.

‘Maybe it’s fake tears’

Trump also questioned the public mourning seen at Khamenei’s funeral, saying he was surprised by the large crowds because he believed many Iranians opposed the late leader.

“Maybe it’s fake tears,” Axios quoted the US president as saying.

Trump further claimed that Iran was eager to reach an agreement with Washington, saying, “They are begging to make a deal.”

According to Trump, both sides had agreed to pause negotiations for a week until the funeral ceremonies conclude, adding that neither side would undertake military action during that period.

Iran responds

Iran swiftly rejected Trump’s remarks. In a post on X, the Iranian Embassy in Armenia said: “You don’t understand these things because you have neither civilization, nor history, nor honor.”

The exchange comes amid continued uncertainty over Iran’s political landscape following months of conflict and instability.

Massive funeral in Tehran

On Saturday, tens of thousands of Iranians gathered at a sprawling prayer complex in Tehran for the funeral of Khamenei, who was killed at the outset of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

According to Reuters, coffins carrying Khamenei and several members of his family were displayed as mourners dressed in black waved Iranian flags and held portraits of the late leader and his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.

The funeral is part of a week-long series of state-organised ceremonies that Iranian authorities have described as a demonstration of public support for the Islamic Republic.

After lying in state for senior officials and foreign dignitaries, Khamenei’s coffin was moved outdoors and displayed under glass alongside the coffins of several family members, including his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and 14-month-old granddaughter.

There has been no public appearance or official image of Mojtaba Khamenei since he succeeded his father, with reports suggesting he was injured in the same strike that killed the former supreme leader.