Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new supreme leader, was notably absent from his father, Ali Khamenei's funeral on July 5, 2026, as senior officials and thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects in Tehran. The funeral, described as the "funeral of the century," is expected to attract between 12-20 million attendees across Iran and Iraq over the coming week.
Attendance and Official Proceedings at the Funeral
Senior regime officials, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Revolutionary Guards chief Ahmad Vahidi, were present at the ceremonies. The funeral proceedings began on Friday, with Khamenei's body lying in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex. Jafar Sobhani, a prominent Shia cleric, led the funeral service.
While the ceremonies were carefully choreographed, the absence of Mojtaba Khamenei raised concerns. Speculation persists regarding his health, amid rumors that he may have been injured in the same air strikes that killed his father. Mojtaba has not made a public appearance since his appointment in early March.
Public Reaction and Security Measures
Sunday was declared a public holiday across Iran, and as mourners gathered, strict security measures were imposed to prevent crowd crushes. Reports indicate that over 4,000 individuals sought medical attention at centers near the Grand Mosalla, although no fatalities were reported.
