Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Podcasts report that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's former Supreme Leader, was killed in a US‑Israeli strike, prompting a week‑long series of mass funeral processions and burial in his hometown of Mashhad ^[4][3]. The aftermath is described as intensifying anti‑American sentiment, with mourners chanting for President Trump’s death and displaying banners calling for his assassination ^[3][4][2]. Iranian leaders are portrayed as adopting an even harder line despite the loss, framing the event as a blow to the Islamic Republic but not a collapse of the regime ^[1][3]. Coverage also notes that the Revolutionary Guard seized control of Iran following Khamenei’s burial, marking the end of his nearly 37‑year tenure as the central political figure ^[4][3].