In Tehran, three sons of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—Mostafa, Meysam, and Masoud—stood beside his coffin and those of four other family members during funeral prayers on Sunday. The event took place at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, a vast religious complex where thousands gathered to honor the deceased. Notably, Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father as Iran’s supreme leader, did not make a public appearance.
The funeral marks the commencement of a week-long series of commemorative events organized by the Islamic Republic. Authorities have planned mass processions throughout Iran before transferring Khamenei’s remains to Shia holy sites in Iraq. On Saturday, the coffins of Khamenei, his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and 14-month-old granddaughter were displayed under glass to the public after senior officials and foreign dignitaries paid their respects during a private lying-in-state ceremony.
Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen publicly since the February 28 Israeli and US airstrikes that killed Ayatollah Khamenei and several family members. Close associates report that Mojtaba sustained severe injuries in the attack, including facial disfigurement and significant wounds to one or both legs.
Among those present at Sunday’s prayers were Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and other senior officials. State media captured Masoud Khamenei visibly emotional, wiping tears with a keffiyeh as an imam led the funeral rites. Throughout the night, large crowds continued to gather at the Mosalla, many mourning openly by weeping and chest-beating. Tehran’s metro operator noted approximately seven million passenger trips between late Saturday and Sunday morning as people traveled to the city center.
Authorities have announced a massive funeral procession in Tehran scheduled for Monday, followed by the transfer of Khamenei’s remains to the holy city of Qom on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the body will be flown to the Iraqi shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala before returning to Iran for another procession in Mashhad. Khamenei will be buried near the shrine of Imam Reza there. Officials anticipate millions will participate in the funeral events, with government arrangements for transport, food, and accommodation for mourners.
In a significant development, a ceasefire brokered with Washington last month ended the four-month conflict that began with Israeli and US strikes on Iranian targets. Tehran has hailed the truce as a victory, asserting it will lead to substantial economic benefits.
