Three Sons of Iran’s Late Leader Khamenei Attend Funeral, New Supreme Leader Stays Out of Sight

Three sons of Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prayed beside his coffin and those of four family members in Tehran on Sunday, but Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father as supreme leader, did not appear in public. State television showed Mostafa, Meysam, and Masoud Khamenei praying behind the coffins at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla.

Family Killed in February Airstrike

Khamenei and several family members were killed in an airstrike when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. The conflict lasted several weeks before a ceasefire took hold, leaving Iran’s government, backed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, in place. Iran is now holding a week of funeral processions, including moving his remains to religious sites in Iraq.

No Sightings of the New Supreme Leader

Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly or been shown in any images since the attack. People close to him told Reuters he suffered a disfigured face and serious leg injuries in the strike that killed his father. One mourner told Tasnim news agency she had hoped to see him at the funeral, calling it her only wish.

Coffins Displayed as Crowds Gather in Tehran

After lying in state indoors, Khamenei’s coffin was placed outdoors under glass on Saturday alongside those of his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and 14-month-old granddaughter. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf attended Sunday’s prayers. Iran’s metro system recorded 7 million trips as crowds flocked to central Tehran overnight.

Funeral Processions to Continue Through Thursday

The remains will move through Qom on Tuesday, then to Najaf and Kerbala in Iraq on Wednesday, before returning to Iran for a final procession and burial in Mashhad on Thursday. U.S. President Donald Trump said peace talks had been paused for a week during the funeral events