Khamenei Funeral Is a Show of Defiance Against the U.S.

July 6, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Khamenei Funeral Becomes a Show of Defiance as Iran Balances Grief and War Messaging

Iran is in the middle of a week of mourning for its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by the U.S. and Israel at the start of the war. Today, supporters packed the streets of Tehran as a truck carrying Khamenei's coffin, along with those of his family members also killed in the war, made its way slowly through the crowds. But the event was not purely about grief — it became a display of defiance that may complicate ongoing negotiations with the United States.

Funeral as a Political Stage

The funeral was deliberately timed. According to WSJ Middle East correspondent Ben Waffle Khan, the regime waited until the war situation had reached a point where it could hold the event, but the messaging from the rallies was unmistakably about readiness for further conflict. "It's the message of the revenge," Waffle Khan said. Red flags — a religious symbol of revenge — were carried through the streets. Placards and banners read "we do not forget or forgive." A giant banner said "kill Trump." Participants threw stones at a giant portrait of the U.S. president.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:26) **Iranian Funeral for Khamenei as Show of Defiance** - Supporters flood Tehran streets for the Supreme Leader's funeral, killed by the US and Israel, with a strong message of revenge.
2 (01:17) **Trump Intervenes in World Cup Controversy** - President Trump confirms he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of a U.S. player's suspension.
3 (02:16) **Trump Rings Opening Bells for NYSE and Nasdaq** - Trump remotely rings both exchange bells from the Oval Office to celebrate the launch of "Trump Accounts" for kids.
4 (02:34) **Explaining Trump Accounts for Kids** - A breakdown of the new custodial IRA accounts, their rules, and whether they are a good investment for families.
5 (04:32) **Maine Senate Candidate Faces Assault Allegation** - Democratic nominee Graham Platner is reassessing his Senate bid after a public sexual assault allegation.
6 (05:25) **Markets Open Higher; Texas Stock Exchange Begins Trading** - The Nasdaq leads gains, and the upstart Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE) starts trading test symbols.
7 (06:09) **Microsoft to Cut Over 3,000 Xbox Jobs** - Xbox CEO says the business is "not healthy" and needs a reset, as the video game industry continues to struggle post-pandemic.

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Show Notes

P.M. Edition for July 6. Crowds thronged the streets of Tehran today as part of the week of funeral events for Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader killed by the U.S. and Israel at the start of the war. WSJ Middle East correspondent Benoit Faucon discusses how Iran is using the funeral as a demonstration of its defiance–potentially complicating peace negotiations. Plus, we’re exclusively reporting that Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum that puts on Davos, is making a comeback bid. And the “Trump Accounts” for kids are now live. We hear from the Journal’s Elyse Goncalves about who should get one, even if it doesn’t come with $1,000 of seed money from the government. Alex Ossola hosts.

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