Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtata Khamenei will not attend the funeral ceremonies of his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, due to security concerns, according to Ayatollah Hakim Elahi, the current leader’s representative in India.
As quoted by news agency ANI, Elahi said the decision was linked to security threats and concerns over surveillance, making any public appearance risky. The development comes at a time when tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States remain high.
Mojtaba Khamenei was also reportedly absent from the funeral of his wife, Zahra Haddad-Adel, who was killed in the February 28 US-Israeli airstrike that also claimed the life of his father at his residence.
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The body of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has arrived at the venue where the official farewell ceremony will be held.
The funeral ceremony is scheduled to begin tomorrow night and is expected to continue for three to four days. pic.twitter.com/EgxZHMoJlU— insightful. (@asifmehdi488) July 3, 2026
Araghchi warns US over threats to Iran’s leadership
Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi issued a strong warning to Washington after Israeli Defence minister Israel Katz reportedly said that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was “marked for death”.
In a post on X, Araghchi referred to the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding that ended hostilities in the Middle East and said the US had committed itself to restraining Israel.
“The terms of the Islamabad MoU are crystal clear and public for all to see. POTUS has committed the US to muzzling its pets in Tel Aviv. If they ignore their master, Iran will school them. Any threat against our People and Leadership will receive Immediate Powerful Response,” Araghchi said.
The terms of the Islamabad MoU are crystal clear and public for all to see.
POTUS has committed the U.S. to muzzling its pets in Tel Aviv. If they ignore their master, Iran will school them.
Any threat against our People and Leadership will receive Immediate Powerful Response. pic.twitter.com/VrKa259gYd— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) July 1, 2026
According to the report shared by Araghchi, Katz said on Monday that Iran’s Supreme Leader was “marked for death”. He also accused Tehran of using negotiations to gain concessions and reiterated Israel’s opposition to Iran developing nuclear weapons.
“If they do it through an agreement, all the better,” Katz said.
Doha talks continue amid funeral preparations
Diplomatic contacts continued in Doha on July 1, with Qatar and Pakistan holding separate meetings with US and Iranian negotiators. According to Majed Al Ansari, adviser to Qatar’s prime minister and spokesperson for the foreign ministry, the discussions saw “positive progress” on issues related to the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding.
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The parties agreed to continue talks, with the next round expected after the funeral ceremonies of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which are scheduled to be held between July 4 and July 9 in Iran and Iraq.
FAQs:
Why is Mojtaba Khamenei skipping Ali Khamenei’s funeral?
Security concerns and reported threats are being cited as the reason.
When are Ali Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies being held?
The ceremonies are scheduled from July 4 to July 9 in Iran and Iraq.
