Controversy erupts after Walsh calls the late Iranian Supreme Leader the “greatest anti-imperialist leader” of her lifetime during a PressTV interview.
Four American citizens traveled to Tehran to attend the funeral ceremonies for slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, drawing widespread attention and sharp criticism online and in U.S. media.
The group includes activist and former Sen. Elizabeth Warren campaign volunteer Calla Walsh, political influencer Jackson Hinkle, Vermont local official and American Communist Party figure Christopher Helali, and independent journalist Max Blumenthal.
Khamenei was killed in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, 2026, at the outset of a conflict between Iran and the United States/Israel. Iran organized multi-day state funeral processions and mourning events in Tehran, with massive crowds reported filling streets and squares.
Who Attended and What They Said
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Calla Walsh, a 22-year-old activist and founder of Palestine Action US, appeared in Iranian state media (PressTV) wearing a hijab while attending the events. She praised Khamenei effusively:
“To me, he was the greatest anti-imperialist leader to have lived during my lifetime. He was a leader to all people in the world who struggle against imperialism, against arrogance, against Zionism, against genocide.”
Walsh, who has lived in Lebanon and previously volunteered for Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 presidential campaign and worked on Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s campaign, described the massive turnout as a “resounding referendum on the Iranian masses’ loyalty to the Islamic Revolution.” She also claimed the U.S. had been “humiliated” in the conflict.
Jackson Hinkle, a prominent pro-Iran social media influencer who resides in Moscow, posted that he was “honored to spend my day with Professor Marandi at the last farewell to Sayyed Ali Khamenei.” He was reportedly seen leading crowds in chants of “Down with the USA” and “Down with Israel” during processions and held symbolic flags associated with anti-U.S. sentiment.
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Christopher Helali, identified as a local elected official in Vermont and an American Communist Party representative, stated he traveled to Iran to “honor and participate” in the funeral and described himself as the only elected U.S. politician present.
Max Blumenthal, co-founder of The Grayzone, reported from the scene, describing the gatherings as among the largest funerals in history with millions of mourners. He suggested the assassination of Khamenei had backfired by strengthening public displays of loyalty to the Islamic Republic.
The attendance of the four was highlighted in a post by X influencer Mario Nawfal, citing reports from @canarymission and @AFpost.
Background and Context
Khamenei, who led Iran since 1989, was targeted in strikes that also reportedly killed family members. His funeral processions began around July 4–5, 2026, and drew enormous crowds waving Iranian flags and chanting in Tehran’s streets and squares.
Walsh and others framed their presence as solidarity with what they described as resistance to U.S. and Israeli policies. Critics, however, viewed the trip as a betrayal, especially given Khamenei’s long-standing rhetoric against the United States (“Great Satan”) and support for groups designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government.
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Reactions and Backlash
The story quickly went viral on X and was covered by outlets including the New York Post, Fox News, Iran International, and others. Many Americans expressed outrage, with comments calling the attendees “traitors” for praising a regime long hostile to the U.S.
Conservative voices highlighted Walsh’s past Democratic ties and questioned what it signals about certain segments of the American left. Supporters of the attendees and the Iranian government pointed to the scale of the mourning crowds as evidence of Khamenei’s popularity inside Iran.
Why This Matters
The presence of U.S. citizens at the funeral of a longtime adversary underscores deep divisions in American public opinion over foreign policy, Iran, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. It also raises questions about travel to Iran during heightened tensions and the role of American activists and influencers in amplifying narratives from adversarial states.
As investigations and discussions continue, the story highlights how social media and state media (such as PressTV) amplify such events globally.
Sources: Reports from Iran International, New York Post, Fox News, social media posts by the individuals involved, and eyewitness accounts shared on X. nypost.com
This developing story continues to generate debate across political lines in the United States.
