US influencer Jackson Hinkle attends Khamenei's funeral

A U.S. social‑media commentator known for his left‑wing commentary, Jackson Hinkle, was photographed among the mourners at the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Saturday. The event, attended by senior Iranian officials, clergy and foreign dignitaries, marked the first public ceremony following the leader’s death after more than four decades in power. Hinkle, who runs a YouTube channel with a subscriber base of several hundred thousand, stood near the front of the procession and was heard chanting “Down with the USA” as the cortege passed, a slogan that has been used by Iranian hardliners in anti‑American protests.

Iranian state media highlighted Hinkle’s presence as evidence of international solidarity with the Islamic Republic, while U.S. officials expressed concern over the influencer’s participation in a gathering that included calls for the removal of U.S. forces from the region. The Department of State’s spokesperson noted that the United States does not endorse any extremist rhetoric and reiterated ongoing diplomatic efforts to address tensions with Tehran. Hinkle’s attendance, which has drawn both criticism and support on social platforms, underscores the complex interplay between fringe political activism and state‑level events in a volatile geopolitical climate.