Iranian hardliners escalate threats against US and Trump

NEW YORK – Chants of “death to America” from Iranian hardliners have been heard for decades, but in recent days, officials and clerics close to the government have escalated the rhetoric with threats against President Donald Trump to avenge the killing of their country’s supreme leader.The calls may reflect Iranians venting pent up anger after the week-long funeral ceremonies for the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which were followed by a weekend of escalating US strikes on the country, one expert said.Some mourners at the funeral events held red banners, a Muslim Shi’ite symbol of vengeance, declaring “we will kill Trump”.The threats grew louder after a rare statement over the weekend from the leader’s son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei.“We pledge that we will avenge your pure bl