Khamenei's 3 Sons Lead Tehran Funeral Rites as Injured Successor Mojtaba Stays Absent
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jul 5
Khamenei's 3 Sons Lead Tehran Funeral Rites as Injured Successor Mojtaba Stays Absent
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jul 5
Summary
Three of Ali Khamenei's sons — Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud — prayed beside his coffin and four other family coffins in Tehran, while new supreme leader Mojtaba again did not appear.
State media and people close to Mojtaba's circle said he has not been seen since the Feb. 28 U.S.-Israeli airstrike that killed his father, with Reuters reporting facial disfigurement and serious leg injuries.
7 million metro trips were recorded from late Saturday to Sunday morning as crowds packed the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, where President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf joined prayers.
Iran is turning the funeral into a week-long national procession through Tehran, Qom, Najaf, Kerbala and Mashhad, seeking to mobilize millions after a four-month war that ended in a shaky ceasefire.
With Iran's designated successor missing, is the powerful Revolutionary Guard staging a quiet coup during the national mourning?
Will Iran’s new military-led government choose 'blood vengeance' or accept a $300 billion deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz?
20 Million Gather for Khamenei’s Funeral: Iran’s Response to Assassination and Global Repercussions
Overview
Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026, Iran launched a meticulously planned six-day funeral, aiming to showcase national unity and strength to its adversaries. Authorities anticipated up to 20 million mourners in Tehran, mobilizing extensive logistical support with food, lodging, and transport to ensure massive participation. The ceremonies drew huge crowds and were marked by intense emotion and political messaging, reflecting both grief and calls for retribution. This large-scale, state-supported farewell highlighted the regime’s effort to project resilience and legitimacy during a critical moment of transition and heightened regional tension.