Gave Iran a week off because we're nice: Trump's swipe amid Ali Khamenei funeral
The remarks came as Iran began a week-long state funeral for Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 during the opening phase of the US-Israel conflict.
As Iran began a teary-eyed farewell for its former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who perished at the beginning of the Middle East conflict on February 28, US President Donald Trump on Friday took a swipe at Tehran, saying America allowed Iran a week for the funeral because Washington is "nice".
Speaking at a large gathering at Mount Rushmore ahead of the July 4 festivities, Trump referred to the recent conflict with Iran and reiterated his administration's military action against the Islamic Republic.
"We knocked the hell out of Iran. They're dying to settle. They want to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral because we're nice," Trump said while addressing the crowd, who erupted in a thunderous cheer and cheeky laughter as the President quipped.
Trump was at Mount Rushmore, the granite mountain in South Dakota where the heads of four American presidents are carved, as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Trump's remarks came as Iran began a week-long state funeral for Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 during the opening phase of the US-Israel conflict.
The longtime Iranian leader died in a joint US-Israeli airstrike along with several members of his family, including his daughter, son-in-law, infant granddaughter and daughter-in-law.
Although Islamic tradition generally calls for burial within 24 hours, Iranian authorities postponed the funeral because of the war and heightened security concerns. The ceremonies were scheduled only after an interim truce was reached last month.
ALI KHAMENEI'S DELAYED FUNERAL
The funeral began in Tehran on Friday with thousands of mourners gathering at the Grand Mosalla, where Khamenei's coffin was placed in state. The ceremony drew senior Iranian political and military leaders, many of whom were visibly emotional while paying their respects.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attended the ceremony.
Thousands of mourners dressed in black filled the prayer hall, with supporters chanting slogans, weeping and beating their chests in accordance with Shiite mourning traditions.
The week-long procession will take Khamenei's remains through the holy city of Qom before travelling to the Iraqi shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala. He will be buried with full state honours in Mashhad on July 9 near the shrine of Imam Reza.
The ceremonies have attracted delegations from several countries, including India, Pakistan, Russia and China, even as Iran continues to navigate the political and security fallout following the death of the country's longest-serving Supreme Leader.
US CELEBRATES 250 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
Celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence gathered momentum across the US on Friday, with patriotic events taking place nationwide despite extreme heat in many regions.
President Donald Trump addressed a crowd at Mount Rushmore, describing the occasion as "one of the most extraordinary days in the history of the world".
In Washington, fighter jets roared overhead during military flyovers, while New York City's Times Square prepared for its first-ever July Fourth midnight ball drop, mirroring its famous New Year's Eve tradition.
The celebrations will culminate on Saturday with fireworks displays, community gatherings, backyard cookouts and block parties across the country, as Trump is set to address crowds at the National Mall before a major fireworks spectacle.
As Iran began a teary-eyed farewell for its former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who perished at the beginning of the Middle East conflict on February 28, US President Donald Trump on Friday took a swipe at Tehran, saying America allowed Iran a week for the funeral because Washington is "nice".
Speaking at a large gathering at Mount Rushmore ahead of the July 4 festivities, Trump referred to the recent conflict with Iran and reiterated his administration's military action against the Islamic Republic.
"We knocked the hell out of Iran. They're dying to settle. They want to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral because we're nice," Trump said while addressing the crowd, who erupted in a thunderous cheer and cheeky laughter as the President quipped.
Trump was at Mount Rushmore, the granite mountain in South Dakota where the heads of four American presidents are carved, as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Trump's remarks came as Iran began a week-long state funeral for Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 during the opening phase of the US-Israel conflict.
The longtime Iranian leader died in a joint US-Israeli airstrike along with several members of his family, including his daughter, son-in-law, infant granddaughter and daughter-in-law.
Although Islamic tradition generally calls for burial within 24 hours, Iranian authorities postponed the funeral because of the war and heightened security concerns. The ceremonies were scheduled only after an interim truce was reached last month.
ALI KHAMENEI'S DELAYED FUNERAL
The funeral began in Tehran on Friday with thousands of mourners gathering at the Grand Mosalla, where Khamenei's coffin was placed in state. The ceremony drew senior Iranian political and military leaders, many of whom were visibly emotional while paying their respects.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attended the ceremony.
Thousands of mourners dressed in black filled the prayer hall, with supporters chanting slogans, weeping and beating their chests in accordance with Shiite mourning traditions.
The week-long procession will take Khamenei's remains through the holy city of Qom before travelling to the Iraqi shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala. He will be buried with full state honours in Mashhad on July 9 near the shrine of Imam Reza.
The ceremonies have attracted delegations from several countries, including India, Pakistan, Russia and China, even as Iran continues to navigate the political and security fallout following the death of the country's longest-serving Supreme Leader.
US CELEBRATES 250 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
Celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence gathered momentum across the US on Friday, with patriotic events taking place nationwide despite extreme heat in many regions.
President Donald Trump addressed a crowd at Mount Rushmore, describing the occasion as "one of the most extraordinary days in the history of the world".
In Washington, fighter jets roared overhead during military flyovers, while New York City's Times Square prepared for its first-ever July Fourth midnight ball drop, mirroring its famous New Year's Eve tradition.
The celebrations will culminate on Saturday with fireworks displays, community gatherings, backyard cookouts and block parties across the country, as Trump is set to address crowds at the National Mall before a major fireworks spectacle.
