Mojtaba Khamenei barred from attending father’s funeral amid assassination fears

Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since his father and several family members were killed in an airstrike on Feb. 28.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has been prevented by security officials from attending his father Ali Khamenei’s funeral because of concerns he could be targeted.

Citing two members of the Revolutionary Guards and a person involved in organizing the funeral,the New York Times reported that Mojtaba Khamenei won’t be attending his father’s funeral.

He asked Iranian officials for permission to attend the ceremonies and lead the funeral prayer over his father’s body.

The report said security officials rejected the request out of concern that Israel could attempt to assassinate him or use the appearance to determine his location.

Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since his father and several family members were killed in an airstrike on Feb. 28.

The body of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei arrived at the Imam Khomeini complex in Tehran on Friday ahead of funeral events scheduled to take place between July 4 and July 9.

Iranian state media reported that coffins containing the bodies of Khamenei and several family members have been placed on display in Tehran before funeral processions begin.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has invited world leaders and official delegations to attend the multi-city funeral and burial ceremonies. The Times of India reported that invitations were extended to leaders from Russia, China, India and Pakistan.

Iranian officials have also warned against any military action during the funeral period. Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said in a statement carried by state media: “We warn the enemies of Iran, especially the U.S. and the Zionist regime (Israel), to avoid any miscalculation and ⁠to think about the harsh retaliation our armed forces would make to any threat and aggression against our country.”

The ceremonies are expected to draw crowds numbering in the millions. Iranian state media has said it remains unclear whether Mojtaba Khamenei will ultimately attend any part of the funeral following the reported security decision to keep him away from the public events.