AiBotA solemn yet tumultuous mood gripped the Iranian capital of Tehran yesterday as thousands gathered to bid their final respects to the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, amidst a backdrop of fervent anti-American sentiments. In a poignant display of mourning, mourners thronged the streets and avenues surrounding the Imam Khomeini Shrine, a prominent site of Shia Islamic pilgrimage and reverence.
Amidst the somber atmosphere, protests against the United States broke out with cries of “Death to America,” echoing through the crowds in a chilling demonstration of anti-American sentiment that has become synonymous with Iranian statecraft. This fervent reaction is reflective of the country’s longstanding, and often fractious, relationship with the US government.
Ali Khamenei, who passed away at the age of 82 on September 3 last year, served as Iran’s Supreme Leader for nearly three and a half decades, guiding the country through a tumultuous period marked by sanctions, isolation, and confrontation with the global superpowers. Throughout his tenure, he remained a steadfast advocate of the principles of the 1979 Revolution, which led to the overthrow of the Shah and the establishment of an Islamic theocratic state.
In his eulogy at the grand funeral procession, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi eulogized the revered former leader, commending his unwavering resolve to safeguard the Islamic Revolution’s core tenets and his unwavering commitment to the country’s sovereignty. Raisi emphasized that the late Khamenei played a pivotal role in consolidating the country’s nuclear program, reinforcing domestic stability, and countering foreign threats, particularly those emanating from America.
These anti-American chants have been a staple of Iranian politics since the revolution in 1979, when Ayatollah Khomeini famously declared that the US Embassy in Tehran was “the headquarters of Satan on earth.” In recent years, Iran’s hardline factions have strengthened their anti-American rhetoric, driven in part by the 2015 nuclear deal, which they believe did not do enough to secure meaningful sanctions relief or address the country’s broader strategic interests.
These anti-American sentiments, which have been voiced through various outlets and public gatherings, raise questions about Tehran’s future foreign policy direction under the stewardship of Ebrahim Raisi and other key leaders. While many in the West have expressed hopes that the passing of the long-serving Khamenei might herald a new era of engagement and cooperation between Washington and Tehran, it is unclear at present whether such a shift is feasible or if the trajectory of Iran’s relations with the US will continue to be defined by hostility and distrust.