Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other prominent regime officials joined thousands of mourners in Tehran on Sunday to pay their respects to the late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Notably, his successor and son, Mojtaba Khamenei, did not appear at the service, fueling ongoing speculation regarding his safety following recent air strikes. While Ali Khamenei’s three other sons were present, Mojtaba has remained out of the public eye since his appointment in March.
Authorities have designated the week-long series of ceremonies across Iran and Iraq as the funeral of the century, with estimates suggesting up to 20 million attendees. Currently, the late leader’s body is lying in state at the Grand Mosalla religious complex. The proceedings, which include a procession through Tehran on Monday, follow a policy of strict security amid heightened regional tensions.
US President Donald Trump recently indicated that peace talks have been temporarily paused to accommodate the funeral events. While Trump noted that the concentration of Iranian leadership offered a potential strategic opportunity, he emphasized a commitment to maintaining diplomatic channels. Conversely, crowds at the funeral were observed chanting slogans against the United States and Israel, with some speakers calling for retaliation.
Medical services have been deployed to assist mourners, with thousands treated for heat-related issues as temperatures in the capital climb. Following the Tehran events, the coffin is scheduled to be transported to Qom and Iraq before a final burial in the hometown of Mashhad on Thursday. Ali Khamenei, who held power from 1989 until his death in February, leaves behind a complex political legacy characterized by significant friction with Western nations.
