TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Senior Iranian officials and the brothers of the country’s newly appointed supreme leader appeared in public on Sunday to take part in funeral prayers for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, signaling a renewed sense of security even as chants intensified calling for the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Their appearance before vast crowds in Tehran would have been unimaginable during the recent conflict, which began with airstrikes on Feb. 28 that killed the 86-year-old Khamenei, several relatives, and other senior officials.

During the war, Israel also struck individuals who surfaced publicly, in at least one instance seemingly using their appearance to pinpoint their location for a targeted attack.

Notably absent, however, was Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. He is believed to be in seclusion after reportedly suffering injuries in the strike that killed his father. Israel has warned that he could also be targeted as he now oversees a theocratic government engaged in negotiations with the United States over a lasting ceasefire and over Iran’s disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies.

Ziba Naderi, a 42-year-old nurse who attended Sunday’s ceremony, said the country must follow Mojtaba Khamenei’s guidance.

“There are calls for revenge, but it is our leader who must decide our course,” she said. “We will obey whatever he commands.”

Funeral marked by prayers and vows of retaliation

Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, a 97-year-old Shiite cleric, led funeral prayers at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla for Khamenei and his deceased family members.

Among those present were Khamenei’s sons Masoud, Meysam and Mostafa, who had not been seen since the outbreak of the war. Revolutionary Guard commander Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, photographed publicly for the first time since the conflict just days earlier, was visible in the crowd surrounded by plainclothes security personnel and wearing a black baseball cap.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Esmail Qaani, head of the Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, were also in attendance.

The gathering was marked by posters and graffiti displayed around the Grand Mosalla calling for the deaths of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Poet Mohammad Rasouli, who served as master of ceremonies before the prayers, prompted chants of “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” from the crowd.

Addressing mourners over loudspeakers, Rasouli referred to Trump and asked, “Why is the most corrupt man in the world still alive?”

The remark drew loud applause, as did his statement that “the world is no longer a safe place” for Trump. It was the first explicit threat voiced by an official figure during the funeral proceedings.

Threats against Trump intensify

At the same time, Trump was speaking in Washington, D.C., during events marking the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.

“We’ve achieved tremendous victories,” Trump said, referring to U.S. military actions. “Look at Venezuela, look at Iran. We dismantled their military capabilities.”

Sunday’s funeral drew a significantly larger turnout than the previous day. Thousands of mourners dressed in black made their way to the mosque, holding banners and flags honoring Khamenei while also demanding revenge against Trump.

“I came here to demand justice,” said Gholamreza Sabooni, a 29-year-old grocery store worker. “They killed our imam. Their leader, Trump, should pay.”

U.S. authorities have for years monitored threats from Iran directed at Trump and other officials, stemming from Trump’s 2020 order to kill Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the former Quds Force commander. Although Tehran has repeatedly denied plotting to assassinate Trump, hard-line propaganda has frequently portrayed him as a target.

During the conflict, Trump also threatened severe retaliation against Iran, including statements about destroying the country’s civilization.

Negotiations paused during mourning period

Khamenei’s body is scheduled to be transported to several cities in Iran and neighboring Iraq, with officials planning to carry his casket through Tehran’s streets on Monday. Authorities have closed roads, restricted airspace and suspended many daily activities during the mourning period, which will conclude Thursday with his burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace.

No official attendance figures were released for the weekend ceremonies. Other cities across Iran held similar memorial gatherings.

Negotiations aimed at securing a permanent end to the conflict have been temporarily suspended until the funeral rites conclude. A strong public turnout may bolster Iran’s position as it seeks leverage in talks, particularly regarding its control over the Strait of Hormuz, amid lingering concerns of further Israeli strikes.

“Our foreign policy must ensure that the blood of our martyred leader is not disregarded,” said mourner Mohammad Reza Sharifi. “No country should believe it can act against us without facing a decisive response from our government and diplomats.”

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Reported from the region.