Iranian members of parliament chanted "Death to America" and pledged revenge against President Donald Trump during a session on Tuesday [1].
The escalation reflects deep-seated anger among Iranian hard-liners who blame U.S. actions for the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in February [2].
The session in Tehran's parliament, known as the Majlis, occurred following the funeral of the late Supreme Leader [1]. Deputy Speaker Hamidreza Haji-Babaei and other lawmakers participated in the gathering, which was characterized by chaos and aggressive rhetoric [1]. Chants of "Revenge" and "Down with America" erupted within the parliamentary chamber as officials paid tribute to Khamenei [1].
These outbursts were not limited to the legislature. Reports indicate that "Death to America" chants also rang out during Khamenei's funeral services in Mashhad [3]. The atmosphere in both the capital and Mashhad underscored a commitment among hard-line factions to confront the U.S. government [1, 2].
Some Iranians are calling for revenge against President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the February killing of the country's supreme leader, according to a report [2]. This sentiment has fueled the current volatility within the Iranian government, as lawmakers use the mourning period to signal a more aggressive foreign policy stance [1, 2].
The rhetoric in the Majlis suggests a push for direct retaliation. Lawmakers said the death of the Supreme Leader requires a response against U.S. leadership, a sentiment that has intensified since February [2].
“"Death to America" chants rang out at Khamenei's funeral.”
The rhetoric from the Majlis indicates that the death of Ayatollah Khamenei is being used by hard-line factions to solidify a confrontational posture toward the U.S. and Israel. By framing the Supreme Leader's death as a result of U.S. actions, these lawmakers are creating domestic political pressure for the Iranian government to pursue retaliatory measures, increasing the risk of direct conflict in the region.
