Mojtaba Khamenei a no-show at father’s funeral, mystery deepens
Ayatollah's successor absent as three brothers mourn in Tehran; millions rally for revenge on U.S., Israel
TEHRAN, IRAN — The funeral services for Ayatollah Ali khamenei, held in Tehran on Sunday, drew millions of attendees. Notably, his successor and son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was absent from the event.
The ceremony occurred at the Grand Mosalla complex, Tehran’s largest prayer hall, where the deceased leader’s body and four coffins of relatives killed in an airstrike were placed. Ayatollah Khamenei’s three other sons – Mostafa, Meysam, and Masoud – led the funeral prayers. Dignitaries like President Masoud Pezeshkian and Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Vahidi also attended.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly appointed supreme leader, has not made any public appearances since the war began following the February airstrike that claimed family members’ lives. The funeral services were expected to attract massive crowds of 12 to 20 million people in Iran and neighboring Iraq by Thursday, marking one of the largest gatherings in the Islamic Republic’s history. The absence of the new supreme leader has sparked discussions among officials and the public.
There are concerns about potential security threats to Mojtaba Khamenei due to potential tracking by Israeli security forces using electronic surveillance. Consequently, enhanced security measures have been implemented around Khamenei’s properties, and movement restrictions on senior leadership have been imposed. During the funeral processions in Tehran, mourners voiced anti-American and anti-Israeli sentiments through chants, and some demonstrators carried political placards, although these images were not widely broadcast by official media outlets.
The Supreme Leadership Council, confirming Mojtaba’s appointment, has not issued any statements regarding his absence or the funeral arrangements, prompting inquiries from political analysts. “I cannot comment on that . No statement has been issued, and no information to share. If an official announcement is made, it will be released through proper channels,” said Seyd Mohsen Dehnavi, the official spokesperson of the Expediency Discernment Council. Security measures, including street closures near the Grand Mosalla and checkpoints across the capital, have been intensified to manage crowd control and prevent potential incidents. Revolutionary Guard units have been deployed for these purposes.
A banner depicting President Donald Trump is held aloft as mourners gather during funeral prayers held as part of the daylong funeral ceremonies for the slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khemenei and members of his family in Tehran, Iran on July 5, 2o26
Attention now shifts to the upcoming burial in Mashhad, a holy city housing the shrine of Imam Reza. The burial ceremony is expected to draw even larger crowds than those in Tehran. Many mourners have already begun their journey to Mashhad, putting pressure on transportation networks nationwide. Authorities have announced special train and bus services to accommodate the influx of mourners.
The possibility of Mojtaba’s appearance at the Mashhad burial is uncertain, leading to speculation about his well-being and security status due to his prolonged absence since the February airstrike. The identities of close relatives who perished in the strike have not been officially disclosed, with the war stemming from the airstrike continuing for four months without any sign of a cease-fire.
Ahmad Vahidi, the Revolutionary Guards chief overseeing security coordination at the Tehran ceremony, ensured heightened security measures along the route from Tehran to Mashhad. The government has urged citizens to remain composed and cooperate with security forces. President Pezeshkian offered condolences to the Khamenei family during the service but refrained from addressing Mojtaba’s absence. Official statements primarily focus on honoring the late leader’s legacy rather than succession matters.
As the nation mourns, the absence of the new supreme leader remains striking. The upcoming burial in Mashhad on Thursday may provide the first public sighting of Mojtaba since the war began. Until then, security measures and official silence persist in both the capital and along the path to Mashhad.