As Iran continues the final rites for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, one question continues to dominate attention: Where is his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei?

The funeral ceremonies began at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla on July 4 and will conclude with Ali Khamenei’s burial in Mashhad on July 9. While senior Iranian leaders and members of the Khamenei family have attended the events, Mojtaba has remained absent from public view.

A view of a coffin with a portrait of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during his funeral ceremony, in Tehran.
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Mojtaba absent from funeral ceremonies

During Sunday’s prayers at the Grand Mosalla, Ali Khamenei’s sons Masoud, Meysam and Mostafa were seen mourning alongside senior officials. However, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was announced as Iran’s next Supreme Leader after the joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28 killed his father, did not appear.

Although Mojtaba has issued statements on the conflict and Iran’s diplomatic engagement with the United States, he has not made a public appearance since assuming the country’s top leadership role.

Reports in recent months suggested he was critically injured in the February 28 attacks. Reuters, citing people close to the Supreme Leader’s inner circle, reported that Mojtaba suffered facial disfigurement and serious injuries to one or both legs. However, his current condition and whereabouts remain unknown.

Security concerns behind his absence?

According to an earlier report by The New York Times, Mojtaba wanted to attend his father’s funeral and personally recite the prayer of the dead during the burial ceremony on July 9.

The report, citing two members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and a person familiar with the funeral arrangements, said security officials rejected the request over concerns that Israel could target him or identify his location through his movements.

Since being named Supreme Leader, Mojtaba has reportedly faced repeated assassination warnings.

Will he appear at the burial?

The funeral procession entered its final phase on Monday, with the burial scheduled at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad on July 9.

While Mojtaba has remained absent from all public ceremonies so far, attention is now focused on whether he will appear at the burial. The New York Times report noted that his request to attend had been denied “so far”, leaving open the possibility of a last-minute change.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi and Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani were among the senior leaders seen attending the funeral ceremonies.

FAQs:

Why has Mojtaba Khamenei not appeared at his father’s funeral?

Reports say security concerns and assassination threats have kept him away from the public ceremonies.

Will Mojtaba Khamenei attend Ali Khamenei’s burial?

His attendance remains unconfirmed, with reports suggesting a final decision may come on the day of the burial.