Iran’s new supreme leader may make first public appearance at his father’s funeral

Mojtaba Khamenei, described in the report as Iran’s new supreme leader, may appear in public for the first time in just over two weeks, most likely during the funeral ceremonies for his father, Ali Khamenei. The article says the leading assessment is that his first appearance could come as the country prepares to bury the former supreme leader after the war-ending agreement between the United States and Iran.

According to Iranian state media, the funeral procession will begin in Tehran on July 4 and continue for several days before Ali Khamenei is buried in the city of Mashhad on July 9. The route is also expected to include Qom on July 7. The report notes that, under Islamic law, burial should happen as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, but exceptions are made during war. In this case, the burial is taking place more than four months after he was killed in a strike in Tehran on February 28.

Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since the war began, and is believed to be in hiding. The article says he was present in his father’s residence during the attack, and that his wife and other family members were killed. Multiple reports, including comments by President Donald Trump, say Mojtaba was also wounded, but it is still unclear how he was injured or what his condition is now.

He is said to communicate with the outside world through intermediaries and social media messages, though there is no proof he writes or dictates them himself. His first public appearance would attract global attention and could help answer questions about his health, but the article stresses that this remains only an assessment and that he may still stay away from the funeral amid ongoing nuclear talks and fears of a possible Israeli strike.