Iran's Supreme Leader Absent as Senior Officials Attend Ayatollah's Funeral
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was notably absent from his father's funeral, fueling speculation about his health amid rumors he was wounded in the same US-Israeli strikes that killed the late ayatollah. Thousands attended the ceremonies in Tehran, with more events planned across Iran and Iraq.
Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday for the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, but his son and current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was conspicuously absent. The absence intensified speculation that Mojtaba may have been injured in the US-Israeli airstrikes that killed his father in February.
Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran from 1989 until his death, is being buried with state honors. Funeral ceremonies began Friday and will continue through the week, including in neighboring Iraq. Iranian authorities estimate that 12 to 20 million people will attend, calling it the "funeral of the century."
Khamenei's body lies in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla complex, where a service was led by prominent Shia cleric Jafar Sobhani, a 97-year-old scholar. Sunday was declared a public holiday across Iran, and a procession through the capital is scheduled for Monday.
Mojtaba Khamenei's absence comes amid threats from Israel to assassinate him. A fragile ceasefire between the two countries is holding while talks for a permanent peace deal continue, but both sides warn of possible renewed military action. US President Donald Trump said peace talks were paused for a week due to the funeral. Trump also remarked that Washington could take out all senior Iranian officials with "one shot" but would not do so because then there would be no one to negotiate with.
In response to Trump's comments, mourner Zahra Safaei, 50, told Reuters the tears were genuine. During the funeral, chants of "death to America" and "death to Israel" were heard, and banners called for killing Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Tehran alone is expected to see over 10 million mourners. Iran's official news agency IRNA reported that more than 4,000 people had visited medical centers near the Grand Mosalla, though no deaths were recorded. Images showed mourners being sprayed with water to keep cool. Khamenei's coffin is displayed alongside those of four relatives killed in the strikes on Tehran, including his one-year-old granddaughter.
Throughout his rule, Ali Khamenei pursued a policy of confrontation with the West and supported anti-US and anti-Israel armed groups across the Middle East. After Monday's procession, his coffin will be moved to Qom on Tuesday, then to a significant Shia site in Iraq on Wednesday, before burial on Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad.
