Iranian Hardliners Grow Louder After Khamenei's Funeral... "Rising Risk of War"

WP: "Hardliners Testing U.S. Resolve"
Anti-American Slogans Persist During Funeral

The risk of military conflict between Iran and the United States is escalating as hardliners in Iran have become more vocal following the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

A man is shouting anti-American slogans at the funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The Washington Post reported on July 11 (local time) that, after Khamenei’s funeral, Iran’s leadership has adopted a more hardline stance, testing the resolve of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Prior to the conclusion of Khamenei’s funeral, Iran attacked a merchant ship that was using a southern route supported by the United States. Subsequently, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that the Strait of Hormuz would be "closed until further notice."

The United States launched large-scale retaliatory airstrikes, but Iran has shown no signs of backing down. Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei recently stated in an official announcement that "revenge for my father’s assassination will definitely be carried out."

Within Iran, hardliners advocating direct confrontation with the United States are raising their voices. Anti-American and anti-negotiation slogans have continued at the funeral site. Mourners have chanted not only anti-Israel and anti-American slogans but also calls for "death to traitors," serving as a warning to Iran’s internal negotiation advocates.

Some analysts believe Iran is increasing pressure on the United States, calculating that President Trump, ahead of the midterm elections in November, does not want a prolonged, all-out war. Iran appears to believe that by pushing the issue of control over the Strait of Hormuz to the limit, the United States will be forced back to the negotiating table.

The United States has made it clear it will not tolerate further provocations from Iran. Senior U.S. government officials reportedly warned the Iranian side in recent closed-door contacts via Qatar that if attacks in the Strait of Hormuz do not cease, "there will be no good outcome."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.