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Three Khamenei sons attend Tehran funeral, Mojtaba absent
NDTV··5 Jul
Three sons of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud, attended funeral prayers on July 5 at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosalla. President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf joined the ceremony. Successor Mojtaba Khamenei did not appear. Mourning continues across five cities until burial in Mashhad on July 9. Authorities expect over 10 million participants.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Mojtaba's absence means Iran's new supreme leader remains unseen since succeeding his father in March, leaving succession visibility uncertain for observers abroad.
- Week-long mourning across Tehran, Qom, Iraq and Mashhad will disrupt transport, airspace and public life through July 9.
- Security concerns cited for Mojtaba's non-appearance reflect ongoing regional tension after the February strikes that killed Ali Khamenei.
What's Happening
- Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud Khamenei prayed behind their father's coffin on July 5 at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran.
- Ali Khamenei's remains were displayed alongside coffins of four relatives killed in the February 28 attack, including a 14-month-old granddaughter.
- Ceremonies will move through Qom, Najaf, Karbala and Mashhad before burial on July 9 near the Imam Reza shrine.
A Leader Who Never Appeared
- Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father in March but has not been seen publicly since Israeli and US strikes on February 28.
- Reuters reported he suffered leg injuries and facial disfigurement; security advisers reportedly warned against public appearances.
- Iran's metro recorded 7 million trips overnight as mourners gathered; authorities plan processions mobilising millions nationwide.
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