‘I Thought People Hated Khamenei’

US President Donald Trump has expressed surprise over the massive crowds and public mourning at the funeral ceremonies of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“I thought people hated him,” Trump said. “But seeing this level of grief among Iranians, I am truly shocked.”

Trump made the remarks in an interview with US news outlet Axios, according to a report by Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera.

During the telephone interview with Axios, Trump also made several controversial claims. He said he could have ‘eliminated’ everyone attending Khamenei’s funeral if he had chosen to do so, but deliberately refrained in order to preserve the possibility of future negotiations with Iran.

“If I had carried out that threat, there would have been no one left to negotiate with,” Trump said.

He also claimed that Iran and the United States had mutually agreed to temporarily suspend all ongoing talks until the funeral ceremonies for Khamenei are completed.

According to Trump, both sides also agreed not to launch any attacks against each other during the mourning period to avoid further escalating tensions.

Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies began in Tehran on Friday, July 3. His coffin was placed at the Grand Mosalla Mosque, where diplomats and foreign dignitaries paid their respects.

On Saturday, the mosque was opened to the public, allowing thousands of mourners to pay their final respects. Funeral ceremonies continued on Sunday, while a large public procession is scheduled to take place in the Iranian capital on Monday.

The following day, Khamenei’s body will be taken to the holy city of Qom. On Wednesday, commemorative events are expected to continue in the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala before he is laid to rest on Thursday at the Imam Reza Shrine in his hometown of Mashhad.

Source: Dawn (Adapted)