Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei will not attend the funeral of his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, citing security concerns. His representative, Ayatollah Hakim Elahi, confirmed that threats from Israel and risks of surveillance made public attendance unsafe. The funeral ceremonies, scheduled between July 4 and July 9 across Iran and Iraq, are expected to draw millions of mourners.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had earlier remarked that Mojtaba Khamenei was “marked for death,” intensifying fears of targeted attacks. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned the United States to restrain Israel under the Islamabad 14-point MoU, vowing an “immediate powerful response” if Iran’s leadership is harmed.
The funeral program begins with public farewell and prayers in Tehran on July 4–5, where up to 20 million mourners are expected, followed by ceremonies across Iran and Iraq until July 9. Mojtaba’s absence is seen as both a symbolic and pragmatic decision, reflecting the vulnerability of Iran’s leadership during mass gatherings.
Ali Khamenei was killed in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28, 2026, during the opening day of the war with Iran. His death has reshaped regional dynamics, with Qatar and Pakistan hosting talks between U.S. and Iranian negotiators in Doha, reporting “positive progress” on de-escalation efforts tied to the MoU. The funeral is expected to be one of the largest gatherings in Iran’s history, underscoring both grief and geopolitical tension.
