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Kayhan: Iran Declares War, Targets Trump, Netanyahu

  • Writer: Mickey Segall
    Mickey Segall
  • 1 hour ago
  • 5 min read


"Trump and Netanyahu should not remain alive
"Trump and Netanyahu should not remain alive

June 29, 2025 1000


A day after mass funeral ceremonies were held across Iran for the "Martyrs of Power"—those killed in the recent war with Israel Kayhan, a newspaper known as the mouthpiece of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, published an incendiary lead editorial declaring open war on the United States and Israel. The headline read:


«ملت امام حسین(ع): ترامپ و نتانیاهو نباید زنده بمانند»


The Nation of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him): Trump and Netanyahu should not remain alive."


This message, repeated in the body of the article, was part of a sweeping declaration of the commitment of the Islamic Republic of Iran's ideological and military confrontation, positioning Iran's internal unity and religious identity as a weapon against what it called "external aggression and internal sabotage."


Memorial ceremonies for the victims of the Israeli-American joint operation
Memorial ceremonies for the victims of the Israeli-American joint operation

Israel and the U.S. Accused of Coordinated Attack


According to the editorial, Israel and the United States jointly launched a surprise military operation aimed at toppling the Islamic Republic’s political system. The piece claims this attempt failed in the face of Iranian unity and the wisdom of the Supreme Leader:

«اسرائیل با تجاوز غافلگیرانه و هماهنگ شده با آمریکا در پی براندازی نظام سیاسی بودند اما با مشاهده حکمت و درایت ولی فقیه، اقتدار دفاعی و همبستگی مردم سراسیمه برای آتش‌بس به التماس افتادند.»
Israel, with a surprise assault coordinated with America, sought to overthrow the political system. But after witnessing the Supreme Leader’s wisdom, the power of Iran’s defenses, and national solidarity, they panicked and began pleading for a ceasefire.”

The Funeral as a Declaration of War


In a dramatic shift from commemoration to confrontation, Kayhan described the massive funeral procession in Tehran as a literal act of war:

«ملت امام حسین(ع) در حماسه تشییع، علیه آمریکا و اسرائیل اعلام جنگ کرد و تصریح کرد که ترامپ و نتانیاهو نباید زنده بمانند.»
The nation of Imam Hussein (PBUH), in the epic funeral, declared war against America and Israel, and clearly stated that Trump and Netanyahu should not remain alive.”

The wording is deliberate: the people, not just the government, are portrayed as declaring war, grounding the message in both popular and religious legitimacy. The invocation of Imam Hussein—icon of martyrdom and resistance in Shiite Islam—imbues the statement with messianic symbolism.


“Israel’s Internal Soldiers”: Cultural Saboteurs Within Iran


One of the article’s most ideologically charged passages refers to “Israel’s internal soldiers” — a phrase used by the regime to describe Iranian opposition dissidents (Munafiqin), secular intellectuals, reformist media, or others promoting Western onslaught and propaganda. These individuals are accused of working within Iran to "distort" its Islamic identity.

«ملت امام حسین(ع) به صورت سربازان داخلی اسرائیل در جبهه تحریف که در خیال اسلام‌زدایی از ایران عزیز هستند و می‌خواهند فاتحه اسلام را بخوانند، سیلی تاریخی نواخت...»
The Nation of Imam Hussein (PBUH) dealt a historic slap to Israel’s internal soldiers in the distortion front, who imagine they can secularize dear Iran and recite Islam’s funeral prayer.”

Here, the phrase "جبهه تحریف" (front of distortion) refers to an alleged cultural campaign to strip Iran of its Islamic values. Kayhan frames this internal challenge as no less dangerous than a military attack, casting secularism, reformism, or pro-Western sentiments as betrayals aligned with Israel’s objectives.


A Fusion of Religious, National, and Revolutionary Identity


The editorial asserts that the massive turnout for the funeral procession proves the Iranian nation’s unity around Islam and the revolution:

«ملت امام حسین(ع)... بار دیگر ثابت کرد، ارزش‌های اسلام و آرمان‌های انقلاب است که همبستگی به‌وجود آورده و جامعه ایران اسلامی را یکپارچه کرده است.»
The Nation of Imam Hussein once again proved that it is the values of Islam and the ideals of the Revolution that have brought about unity and made Iranian Islamic society cohesive.”

This framing casts the confrontation not just as geopolitical, but as existential and religious, tying Iran’s domestic cohesion and spiritual mission to the regional conflict with Israel and the United States.


Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, whom the United States killed during the Trump administration, is remembered in the context of the slogan "We are the nation of Imam Hussein."
Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, whom the United States killed during the Trump administration, is remembered in the context of the slogan "We are the nation of Imam Hussein."

Conclusion: An Ideological Escalation


Kayhan’s article goes far beyond rhetoric. It constitutes an explicit ideological escalation, directly naming Trump and Netanyahu as enemies whose deaths are framed as religiously justified. It also seeks to delegitimize internal dissent by equating it with treason and Zionism. In doing so, the regime reaffirms a political theology in which martyrdom, resistance, and revenge are not only justified but required.


Across time and Death


The mass funeral took place during the early days of Muharram, Shiism’s holiest mourning period, which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein — the founding myth of Shiite identity and the core of Iran’s revolutionary religious doctrine.


The martyrdom of Imam Hussein at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE is not merely a historical event but a foundational myth that continues to deeply shape Shiite identity, theology, and political ideology to this day. Imam Hussein’s stand against the tyrannical Umayyad caliph Yazid is remembered as the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of justice, truth, and faith. His death symbolizes resistance against oppression and the willingness to endure suffering and martyrdom for the preservation of Islamic values.


This powerful narrative serves as a central pillar for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s revolutionary ethos. Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the image of Imam Hussein as a selfless martyr has been harnessed to inspire political and military resistance, emphasizing sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds. Iran’s leadership invokes Hussein’s example to legitimize its stance against perceived enemies, notably the United States and Israel, framing their struggle as a continuation of Hussein’s battle against tyranny.


Beyond Iran’s borders, the martyrdom of Imam Hussein is a spiritual and political touchstone for both allied Shiite groups and Sunni, most prominently Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah portrays itself as the modern-day embodiment of Hussein’s resistance, adopting his narrative to justify its armed struggle against Israel and Western influence. This shared myth binds Shiite communities across the Middle East, reinforcing a collective identity rooted in sacrifice, resistance, and the fight against injustice.


Through annual commemorations during Muharram, particularly on Ashura (the 10th day), millions of Shiites worldwide reenact and relive the story of Karbala, renewing their commitment to Hussein’s ideals. This ritual mourning is both a religious observance and a political statement — a constant reminder of the costs of oppression and the imperative to resist it.


In this way, the myth of Imam Hussein’s sacrifice remains a living, dynamic force — fueling the ideological and militant posture of Iran and its Shiite allies, shaping their worldview, and underpinning their resolve in regional conflicts.



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