TEHRAN : The high-profile absence of Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, from the funeral prayers of his late father, ...
TEHRAN : The high-profile absence of Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, from the funeral prayers of his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has sparked widespread speculation regarding his health and security.
State television coverage of the ceremonies at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla showed Ali Khamenei’s other sons—Mostafa, Meysam, and Masoud—standing prominently behind their father’s coffin. However, Mojtaba, who assumed the role of Supreme Leader following his father's death, remained entirely out of public view.
The funeral was attended by Iran’s top political and military elite, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Ahmad Vahidi. Authorities estimate that total turnout across the country's multi-day mourning ceremonies could exceed 10 million people.
Strict Security and Health Speculation Keep Mojtaba Cloistered
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has not made a public appearance or issued an audio address since his appointment last March. His absence extends back to last week’s memorial service for his wife, Zahra Hadad-Adel, who was killed alongside Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, their teenage son, and several other relatives in a February 28 airstrike targeting the family compound.
Official channels have remained tight-lipped about the new leader's current status:
Official Stance: Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, head of the funeral planning committee, declined to confirm whether Mojtaba would appear, stating that any updates regarding the Supreme Leader's schedule fall strictly under the purview of his private office.
Health Rumors: Reports from sources close to the administration suggest Mojtaba sustained serious leg injuries and facial disfigurement during the February bombardment, though no visual confirmation has been released.
Security Directives: In June, Mohammad Hossein Khoshvaght—a relative of the family—disclosed to local media that security experts had explicitly advised the new leader against any public exposure, including voice broadcasts.
According to The New York Times, intelligence officials advised Mojtaba to skip the Tehran ceremonies due to credible threats of assassination or electronic tracking by foreign intelligence agencies.
"His safety should definitely be the priority," said Ehsan Hosseini, a supporter who traveled to the capital. "Whatever decision his office makes will be the right one."
Iran Commences Week-Long Mourning Period Across Region
The state funeral marks the beginning of a complex, week-long mourning itinerary for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran from 1989 until his death at age 86.
The late leader’s coffin—draped in the national flag and topped with his signature black turban—was displayed under glass on Saturday alongside the remains of four family members killed in the same strike, including his 14-month-old granddaughter.
The geopolitical and religious scope of the funeral includes:
Multi-City Itinerary: Memorial events are scheduled across five cities spanning both Iran and neighboring Iraq, where the coffins will visit sacred Shiite holy sites.
Logistical Closures: Massive street closures and strict airspace restrictions have been implemented in Tehran as the funeral procession moves through the capital.
Final Interment: The ceremonies are scheduled to conclude on July 9 with a burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, the late Ayatollah's birthplace.
Potential for a Final Appearance
Despite his absence from the capital, regional security officials indicate that Mojtaba Khamenei still intends to participate in the final phases of the mourning period. Reports suggest he is making efforts to travel to Mashhad to personally recite the final burial prayers for his father later this week, provided security protocols can be guaranteed.
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