Iran began a multi stage, six day funeral procession this week for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike, drawing tens of thousands of mourners into the Mosalla prayer complex in Tehran. Dressed in black and waving Islamic Republic flags, the crowds chanted "death to America" as Khamenei's coffin was displayed under glass alongside those of several family members who were killed alongside him.
But amid the massive display of mourning, one figure was conspicuously absent: the late leader's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has reportedly already assumed the role of Iran's new supreme leader.
While three of his brothers, Mostafa, Masoud and Meysam, appeared publicly at the Mosalla to mourn their father, Mojtaba remained far from public view. Iranian security officials rejected his request to attend his father's burial in Mashhad, scheduled for July 9, citing genuine concern that Israel could exploit the public appearance either to assassinate him or to locate his hiding place.
Sources within the Revolutionary Guard said Mojtaba had hoped to personally lead the funeral prayer over his father's body at the Imam Reza shrine, but Iran's security establishment is unwilling to take the risk.
In the meantime, the regime is working to project continuity and stability through mass ceremonies that will also take place in Qom and Iraq, even as Khamenei's successor governs the country from the shadows, under the looming threat of assassination hanging over his head.
