Iranian diaspora begins global protests as Khamenei funeral week starts

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned on Saturday against any foreign military presence in the Strait of Hormuz after Britain and France said they stood ready to support freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.

"The Strait of Hormuz is not a place for military displays by outside powers," Gharibabadi wrote on X.

"Iran, as the responsible power and guarantor of security in the Strait, warns against any military movement in this waterway," he said.

He added that "security in Hormuz belongs to the coastal states" and said "those who create crises will be responsible for the consequences of their adventurism. This is a serious warning."

Gharibabadi's remarks came after Britain and France said they were prepared to deploy a broader multinational military mission to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz while working with Oman to help ensure safe navigation in its territorial waters.

Crowds gathered at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla for Ali Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies chanted “revenge, revenge” in unison.

Chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” were also dominant at the venue, according to Iranian and Israeli media reports.

Photos and videos from the ceremony showed many participants carrying banners and placards invoking “blood vengeance,” while some signs referred to killing US President Donald Trump.

The ceremonies began in Tehran on Saturday, the first day of a multi-day funeral procession expected to continue through Iran and several Iraqi cities before Khamenei’s burial in Mashhad on Thursday.

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US President Donald Trump said Washington had given Iran “a week off” for Ali Khamenei’s funeral processions, while adding that Tehran was eager to settle with the United States after recent war.

Speaking at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota during celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of US independence, Trump said: “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.”

The remarks came as funeral processions for Iran’s late Supreme Leader began in Tehran, with ceremonies expected to continue in Iran and Iraq before his burial later this week.

The gates of Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosalla opened before dawn on Saturday, allowing the public to enter hours ahead of the funeral for Iran's Supreme Leader, according to IRGC affiliated Tasnim News.