U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that the Islamic Republic is “eager” to reach an agreement with Washington during a speech marking the start of Independence Day celebrations at Mount Rushmore.
“We gave them one week to mourn because we’re good people,” Trump said, referring to the mourning ceremonies taking place in Iran. He also claimed that “we defeated Venezuela in one day and hit Iran very hard.”
Trump’s remarks came as week-long funeral and mourning ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei began in Tehran.
NBC News, citing an Iranian official and a Middle Eastern diplomat, reported that Mojtaba Khamenei is not expected to attend the ceremonies. According to the report, he was seriously injured in the attack that killed Ali Khamenei. The report has not been independently confirmed.
Representatives of groups aligned with the Islamic Republic and several regional officials attended the ceremony, while no representatives from European governments were reported to be present.
Images circulated from the event showed a banner bearing the English slogan “Kill Trump,” alongside other slogans calling for revenge against the United States and Israel.
U.S. media have largely described the ceremonies as an effort by the Islamic Republic to project unity and manage the political transition following the death of Ali Khamenei.
