Why did Mojtaba Khamenei skip his father’s funeral?

Funeral ceremonies for Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, continued for a second day in Tehran, drawing massive crowds and

Funeral ceremonies for Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, continued for a second day in Tehran, drawing massive crowds and the country’s top political and military leadership.

Three of Khamenei’s sons — Mostafa, Meysam, and Masoud Khamenei — attended the ceremony at Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla. Iranian state television showed the three brothers standing behind the coffins and offering funeral prayers alongside thousands of mourners.

The only immediate family member absent was Khamenei’s fourth son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who currently serves as Iran’s Supreme Leader. Reports said he did not attend because of heightened security concerns and alleged Israeli threats. Since taking over the country’s highest leadership position in March, Mojtaba has not appeared at any public event.

Millions of people gathered in Tehran to pay their final respects to the late leader. Mourners carried Iranian flags and red flags, which are widely viewed in Iran as symbols of revenge and resistance. Large crowds also chanted slogans against the United States and Israel throughout the funeral procession.

Iranian authorities have announced a week-long funeral program. Following the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei’s body will be taken to the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala before returning to the Iranian cities of Qom and Mashhad. His burial is scheduled to take place on July 9.

The funeral was attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani, senior government officials, military commanders, and religious leaders.

Authorities said millions more people are expected to attend the remaining funeral events and burial ceremonies. Additional security and logistical arrangements have been put in place to manage the large crowds expected over the coming days.

According to reports, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli attack on February 28. The attack also claimed the lives of his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and his 14-month-old granddaughter. Their coffins were displayed alongside his during the public mourning ceremonies, allowing people to pay their final respects.