On July 5, while the United States military was conducting strikes against Iranian-backed targets, a 3.8-million-follower social media personality from San Clemente, California named Jackson Hinkle touched down in Tehran. He was there to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for 36 years before being killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Hinkle posted his review: "LONG LIVE KHAMENEI!"
The Daily Wire's Kassy Akiva identified Hinkle and several other Americans who traveled to Iran for the funeral ceremonies, which drew delegations from over 30 countries. Hinkle, who co-founded the American Communist Party, told Iranian state media, "I came here as an American to say that I fully reject the crimes of the U.S. empire and the Zionist entity against the good people of Iran." He added, from the funeral crowd, "If there's one thing I can tell you here tonight, it's that the people here want their revenge — and revenge I am sure they will get."
This is the same Hinkle who attended Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's funeral in Lebanon in February 2025 and traveled to Yemen in March 2025 for a Houthi conference. He's building quite the frequent-flyer program with designated terror organizations.
Then there's Christopher Helali, who holds the elected office of High Bailiff in Orange County, Vermont — a position he won as a write-in candidate in 2024. Helali, who also serves as international secretary of the American Communist Party, posted a selfie from the funeral on July 7, writing, "Such an honor to be here to pray for, salute, and honor our beloved Imam Khamenei!" He followed that up with "Death to U.S. Imperialism and Zionism!" On July 4 — the 250th anniversary of American independence — he called himself "the ONLY elected USA politician in Iran right now."
Helali lives primarily in Moscow. Not Montana. Moscow, Russia. He claims he's been on a Department of Homeland Security watch list since 2013 after fighting against ISIS in Syria, which he frames as persecution.
Max Blumenthal also made the trip. Blumenthal is the editor of The Grayzone and the son of Sidney Blumenthal, a former adviser to President Clinton. On July 6, he posted about joining drummers at Tehran's Tajrish Square and described the scene as evoking "the sounds of the Battle of Karbala." His analysis of the funeral: "If the assassination of Khamenei was designed to spur regime change, his funeral demonstrates how badly it has backfired." Blumenthal has authored books comparing Israel to Nazi Germany and has repeatedly defended Hamas.
The youngest of the group is Calla Walsh, a 21-year-old formerly of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Walsh called Khamenei "the greatest anti-imperialist leader to live during my lifetime" and posted, "Glory and honor to the martyred leader of the free world, Sayyed Ali Khamenei." She also posted video of herself chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" at the funeral proceedings. Walsh volunteered for Senator Elizabeth Warren's 2020 presidential campaign and has participated in what the Daily Wire described as "guerrilla-style" raids targeting Israeli defense companies operating in the United States. She was placed on a suspicious persons watch list, according to The Free Press.
Walsh also posted about four U.S. soldiers killed in an Iranian-backed drone attack, writing, "They all died fighting for fascism, genocide, pedophilia, and cannibalism."
Meanwhile, footage from the funeral showed posters with crosshairs over the heads of President Trump, GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson, Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro, Senator Lindsey Graham, tech billionaire Peter Thiel, and activist Laura Loomer. Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad responded to the threats: "When the Islamic Republic threatens to kill you, believe them. I know from experience."
CNN sent senior international correspondent Frederik Pleitgen to cover the funeral. He reported, "What they're chanting right now is 'Death to America,' and they have vowed revenge for the killing of the supreme leader, both against the United States as well as President Donald Trump." CNN noted it "maintains full editorial control" but operates in Iran only with government permission.
A communist party co-founder from California. An elected Vermont official who lives in Moscow. A Clinton adviser's son drumming along at a memorial square. A 21-year-old chanting death to her own country.
They didn't stumble into Tehran by accident. They booked flights.
