What Donald Trump Meant by ‘One Shot’ Remark As Iran Holds Funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

US President Donald Trump said the United States could eliminate Iran's remaining leadership with "one shot" if it chose to do so but insisted Washington would not take such action because it wants negotiations with Tehran to continue. His remarks came as Iran held funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on February 28.

Speaking to Axios, Trump said Iran had paused negotiations with the United States during the funeral ceremonies and claimed Tehran remained interested in reaching a deal. His comments coincided with large funeral processions in Tehran, where thousands of mourners gathered and senior Iranian leaders attended ceremonies under heightened security. 'Iran Will School Them': FM Abbas Araghchi Warns US to Rein In Israel Over Threats to Mojtaba Khamenei.

One Shot, and We Can Take Them All Out’: Donald Trump

According to Axios, Trump said: "They are all there. One shot [and we can take them all out], but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with." He added that Iran had paused negotiations during the funeral period but suggested diplomacy could resume afterward.

"They are begging to make a deal," Trump said, adding that both sides had agreed to take "a week off" from negotiations until the funeral ceremonies conclude. He also claimed that "neither side will shoot at the other." US-Iran Conflict: Donald Trump Reviews Military Strike Options Against Tehran, Sticks With Nuclear Talks for Now.

Trump also reacted to television footage showing mourners attending Khamenei's funeral. "I was surprised to see some Iranians crying at the funeral," he said.

"Maybe it's fake tears," he added. Earlier, ahead of Fourth of July celebrations in the United States, Trump also 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."

Iran Responds

Iran's embassy in Armenia rejected Trump's remarks in a post on X, stating: "You don't understand these things because you have neither civilization, nor history, nor honor."

Ahead of the funeral ceremonies, Iranian military officials warned the United States and Israel against launching further attacks. Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said: "We warn the enemies of Iran, especially the US and the Zionist regime (Israel), to avoid any miscalculation and to think about the harsh retaliation our armed forces would make to any threat and aggression against our country."

Earlier in the week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also warned that Tehran would respond immediately to any threat against its leadership following comments by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz regarding Mojtaba Khamenei.

Funeral Draws Thousands in Tehran

Funeral processions for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began in Tehran on July 3 and are scheduled to conclude on July 9 with his burial in Mashhad. Additional ceremonies are also being held in Qom and Iraq.

Thousands gathered at Tehran's Grand Mosalla prayer complex, where mourners carried red flags and chanted slogans calling for revenge.

During the ceremony, a eulogist declared: "We have come not for the funeral but for revenge." He added: "We're never going to give up your blood, which is the reddest line." Among the mourners was 18-year-old student Hamidreza Shabani, who said: "We must rise up and, God willing, avenge the blood of our leader."

"We came because we promised the supreme leader we would stay with him until the end." He added: "All these people are here for him. We shouted for a long time that we would sacrifice our lives for the leader, but he was the one who sacrificed himself for us."

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli operation on February 28, marking a major development in regional tensions. Following his death, his son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, succeeded him as Iran's Supreme Leader. Reports have suggested Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly after reportedly being wounded in the strikes that killed his father, although Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed those reports.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2026 09:24 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).