Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Son Mojtaba Absent from Memorial Ceremony, Sparking Speculation

June 22, Kathmandu – Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was notably absent from the memorial ceremony held ahead of his father’s funeral, prompting widespread speculation. At the mourning event on Sunday, Ali Khamenei’s other three sons – Masoud, Mostafa, and Meysam – were present. The ceremony also saw the attendance of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Chief Ahmad Vahidi, along with other senior government officials.

However, Mohjtaba’s absence has fueled various conjectures about his health and status. Since being appointed as a successor in early March, he has not appeared publicly. Rumors have also circulated that he may have been injured during the recent US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father. Ali Khamenei served as Iran’s Supreme Leader from 1989 until his death in late February. The Iranian authorities have not offered an official explanation for Mojtaba’s absence. Nonetheless, international media outlets have cited security concerns and the possibility of injury from the attack as key reasons.

Reports from Reuters, Al Jazeera, the Financial Times, and other sources have suggested that the security apparatus may have barred Mojtaba from public appearances due to the risk of him being targeted by Israel. Reuters, citing various sources, indicated that Mojtaba could have sustained serious injuries, including to his face and legs, in the US-Israeli attack. Euronews noted that since Mojtaba’s appointment as Supreme Leader, his absence from public view has led some analysts to link it to sensitive security measures and the delicate nature of power transition.