The passing of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has set in motion a series of historic funeral ceremonies, drawing millions of mourners across the nation. However, the conspicuous absence of his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has sparked widespread speculation and concern.
As the Islamic Republic observes a week of mourning, the scale of the events is unprecedented, with authorities expecting between 12-20 million participants. The ceremonies, dubbed the “funeral of the century,” began on Friday and will continue through Thursday, culminating in the burial in Mashhad.
The Absence of Mojtaba Khamenei
Mojtaba Khamenei, appointed in early March, has not appeared in public since his father’s death in February. Rumors suggest he may have been injured in the same US-Israel air strikes that killed Ali Khamenei. His absence from the funeral, attended by other family members and senior officials, has fueled speculation about his condition and the future leadership of Iran.
The funeral proceedings are meticulously orchestrated, with Ali Khamenei’s body lying in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex. Prominent Shia cleric Jafar Sobhani, a 97-year-old scholar from Qom, led the funeral service on Sunday. The day was declared a public holiday, and the body will be moved for a procession through Tehran on Monday.
Political Tensions and International Reactions
The funeral ceremonies occur against a backdrop of fragile ceasefires and ongoing peace talks between Iran and its adversaries. US President Donald Trump commented on the situation, noting that the peace talks had been paused for a week due to the funeral. He remarked that while Washington could potentially target senior Iranian officials with “one shot,” they would refrain to maintain negotiation possibilities.
Trump’s comments about seeing Iranians cry and questioning the authenticity of their grief drew sharp responses. Mourner Zahra Safaei, 50, retorted, “We did not make a revolution 47 years ago to shed fake tears. We did not sacrifice all these martyrs to shed fake tears.”
Calls for Revenge and Anti-American Sentiments
During the funeral, calls for revenge against the US and Israel were prominent. Poet Mohammad Rasouli declared, “Trump’s murder is our responsibility,” inciting chants of “death to America” and “death to Israel.” Banners with slogans like “kill Trump” and “kill Bibi”—referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—were displayed, reflecting the heightened tensions.
Massive Mourning and Security Measures
The Tehran events alone are expected to attract over 10 million mourners, with strict security measures in place to prevent crowd crushes. Over 4,000 people have visited medical centers near the Grand Mosalla, though no deaths have been reported. Mourners were sprayed with mist to keep cool, and medics attended to those in need.
Ali Khamenei’s coffin is displayed alongside those of four relatives killed in the strikes, including his one-year-old granddaughter Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani. The body will be moved to Qom on Tuesday, then to a significant Shia site in Iraq on Wednesday, before the final burial in Mashhad on Thursday.
Throughout his rule, Ali Khamenei pursued a policy of confrontation with the West, supporting anti-US and anti-Israel groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. His legacy and the future direction of Iran under Mojtaba Khamenei remain subjects of intense scrutiny and debate.
