Trump says US paused action for Khamenei funeral during Mount Rushmore address

'Gave Iran Week Off Because We're Nice': Trump References Ayatollah Funeral In Rushmore Speech On Friday President Trump delivered a speech at Mount Rushmore to kick off the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations, and in it he confirmed that everything regarding Iran - whether on the military or diplomatic fronts - have been paused to allow for the Islamic Republic to bury its late supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Trump said Washington "knocked the hell out of Iran" and that the country was "dying to settle". He also made comparisons between the lengthy Iran conflict and the brief US operation to overthrow Maduro of Venezuela. "We beat Venezuela in one day, and we knocked the hell out of Iran," he said. That's when he claimed that the current US posture and pause in action is all about allowing the Iranians time to conduct a week-long funeral for the slain Khamenei, killed during the opening day of Operation Epic Fury. "We gave them a week off for a funeral because we're nice," he said. Bloomberg News The funeral ceremonies began in Tehran on Friday, with government representatives from dozens of countries paying respects, and with the public multi-city procession in full swing on Saturday, amid a heavy Iranian security presence. While the US administration is touting its Iran 'excursion' as a 'win' - the reality is that it is looking more like a quagmire with each passing week. Iran is no closer to abandoning its nuclear program, it is proclaiming its own control over the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian protocol, and its ruling clerics and IRGC military apparatus are firmly in place. Trump and White House officials had from day one vowed a rapid engagement, saying repeatedly it would end 'fast' - and had even initially touted that regime change would be imminent - but now it's been 127 days since the conflict's start. Trump in his Rushmore speech didn't dwell long on the Iran (mis)adventure, but moved on rather quickly to themes of American exceptionalism. "Americans honor excellence; we admire boldness; we respect ambition," Trump said. "We are a nation of dreamers and believers, warriors and explorers, doers and fighters and in every human endeavor Americans see an unfinished competition. "What is strong can be made stronger. What is fast can be made faster. What is great can be made greater than ever before. And that's what's happening with America." He continued: "Show us a mountain, and we'll just climb it. Show us an ocean and we'll just cross it. Show us a problem and we will just solve it. Show us a task the world calls impossible and Americans will get it done." Trump: "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." pic.twitter.com/wV13cT3FLp — The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) July 4, 2026 There's a rich irony in Khamenei's public funeral starting on the very day, July 4th, that America celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding. The founding fathers warned the young Republic that America "goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy." John Quincy Adams famously warned, "She might become the dictatress of the world. She would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit." Tyler Durden Sat, 07/04/2026 - 15:45

“We knocked the hell out of Iran and they’re dying to settle,” Trump said during a speech at Mount Rushmore Friday night. “We gave them a week off for a funeral, isn’t that nice.”

Trump asserted that the US had granted a temporary suspension of hostilities for humanitarian reasons, stating that "we are nice people"

Speaking at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota on Friday (local time), US President Donald Trump mocked Iran while referring to the recent conflict between Washington and Tehran."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," Trump said, drawing loud cheers and laughter from the audience.The remarks came during the "Freedom 250" celebrations marking the United States' 250th Independence Day.Trump: We knocked the hell out of Iran. They are dying to settle. Iran wants to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral because we’re nice. pic.twitter.com/yx3cor4ujQ— Acyn (@Acyn) July 4, 2026 Trump Reiterates US Action Against IranDuring his speech, Trump once again defended his administration's military action against Iran, claiming the country was eager to negotiate following the conflict.Without elaborating further, the President asserted that Tehran was seeking a settlement after the US military campaign, while portraying Washington's pause during Iran's mourning period as an act of goodwill.Iran Holds Funeral For Ayatollah KhameneiTrump's comments coincided with the start of Iran's week-long state funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Iranian leaders, foreign dignitaries and thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran to pay tribute to Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 during the opening phase of the US-Israel conflict.According to reports, Khamenei died in a joint US-Israeli airstrike along with several members of his family, including his daughter, son-in-law, infant granddaughter and daughter-in-law.Donald Trump's Address To The Nation: 'Iran Has Been Essentially Decimated,' Says US President In Speech As War Tensions Persist Mount Rushmore Hosts Independence CelebrationsTrump delivered the remarks at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota as part of celebrations commemorating the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the US Declaration of Independence.The event featured patriotic ceremonies, an Air Force One flyover and Trump's keynote address highlighting America's military strength and national identity.

‘Gave them a week off’: Trump says US paused operations for Khamenei funeral Speaking at Mount Rushmore during celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, Trump praised US military power and declared that Iran was seeking a political settlement after months of conflict. "They're dying to settle; they want to settle so badly," Trump said, while also boasting about US actions against both Venezuela and Iran. "We beat Venezuela in one day, and we knocked the hell out of Iran," he said. Trump also claimed Washington had allowed Tehran time to conduct funeral ceremonies for Khamenei. "We gave them a week off for a funeral because we're nice," he said. Khamenei was killed early in the conflict in a joint US-Israeli attack, according to Iranian authorities. His funeral ceremonies began in Tehran on Friday ahead of his burial in Mashhad next week.   US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, 1 July 2026 (Saul Loeb/AFP)