This past weekend, mourners at the funeral of the late Ayatollah Khamenei in Iran made their sentiments towards America very clear. As the crowd gathered to pay respects, they chanted “death to America” and launched stones at images of President Trump. To add a little flair, they even paraded with a poster featuring the columnist’s face superimposed with a target, proclaiming, “Sooner or later your head will roll.” This spectacle suggests that perhaps Iran could use a hobby that doesn’t involve making enemies.

While the crowd was busy chanting and throwing stones, Iran took the opportunity to escalate tensions by launching missiles at commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. This is the kind of behavior that makes one wonder about Iran’s qualifications as a rational negotiating partner. It’s always amusing when a country claims it desires peace while simultaneously engaging in acts of aggression. These actions should serve as a wake-up call to those who still cling to the fantasy that dialogue will solve everything with a regime notorious for its hostility.

The funeral was attended by representatives from various countries, including China and, naturally, Russia, who have cozy relationships with Iran. However, some nations like Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE skipped the event, understanding the gravity of aligning themselves with a regime that threatens their existence. This division should serve as a crucial indicator of who can be trusted in the Middle East and who can’t, a lesson that seems lost on some in Washington who continue to flirt with the idea of appeasing Iran.

There’s a certain irony in the fact that countries like Qatar, which has historically supported Iran, were represented at the funeral while more trustworthy allies were absent. Even Saudi Arabia, which often finds itself in the crossfire between Iran and its allies, sent a delegation, presumably in a bid to maintain some degree of diplomatic relations. However, it’s hard to see how supporting a regime that openly desires to destroy them is in Saudi’s best interest. This muddled approach to diplomacy raises a serious question: when will world leaders learn that negotiating with terrorists leads to more chaos?

Of course, the situation in Iran continues to deteriorate. While mourners chant threats at USA officials and our allies, Iran is also ramping up attacks on commercial vessels, further demonstrating their irresponsible behavior. There’s a clear disconnect when a nation is both calling for peace while engaging in warlike activities. It’s a sad spectacle that should compel global leaders to reassess their positions on Iran – perhaps even reconsider the wisdom behind their ongoing negotiations and the backing of countries that flaunt their allegiance to a regime responsible for so much turmoil.

In summary, the events surrounding Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral are not just scenes of mourning; they are warnings to the international community. Iran’s hostility is real and prevalent, and it raises serious questions about the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts. If the goal is to foster peace in the region, the first step should be aligning with those who recognize the threat that Iran truly poses. The world cannot afford to be naïve, and it’s high time to acknowledge that dealing with Iran often means dealing with danger.