On Sunday, thousands of mourners gathered at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran for the second day of funeral proceedings for slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Attendees included top Iranian officials and Khamenei's family members, although his successor, Motjaba Khamenei, was notably absent amid growing speculation regarding his whereabouts following an airstrike that killed his father.
Family and Key Figures Present at the Funeral
Khamenei's sons, Meysam, Mostafa, and Masoud, were seen publicly for the first time since the conflict erupted. Masoud was visibly emotional, wiping away tears with a keffiyeh, a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians. Attendees also included Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who had only recently been photographed after a long absence.
Additionally, Esmail Qaani, head of the IRGC's Quds Force, was present. President Masoud Pezeshkian and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf participated in prayers behind Khamenei's coffin, which was surrounded by the coffins of family members who were also victims of the February 28 airstrike.
Significance of the Funeral and Speculation Over Motjaba Khamenei
Motjaba Khamenei's absence raised questions regarding his condition after reports suggested he was injured during the same airstrike that killed his father. Eyewitness accounts suggest he suffered severe facial injuries and significant damage to one or both legs. The family’s emotional display underscored the weight of the moment amidst the ongoing conflict.
