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Mojtaba Khamenei absent from Ali Khamenei funeral ceremonies
His lack of public appearances since being appointed supreme leader has left his health and security status unclear, with no confirmed sighting during the ceremonies in Mashhad.
Mojtaba Khamenei, appointed supreme leader after his father Ali Khamenei was killed in an air strike on Feb. 28, was not seen during funeral ceremonies held in Mashhad, Agence France-Presse reported. The marathon ceremonies drew senior figures from Iran’s political and judicial establishment, but there was no confirmed appearance by Mojtaba, who has communicated only through written statements.
Attendees included Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of parliament and chief negotiator in talks with the United States, along with chief justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and Ali Khamenei’s eldest son Mostafa Khamenei. Social media users had searched images from the events for any sign of Mojtaba Khamenei, but the outlet said there was no confirmed showing.
The absence has prompted questions about Mojtaba Khamenei’s health and fears of assassination, and it also suggests his role could differ from that of his father, SCMP Economy said. Mojtaba Khamenei was 56 years old at the time, according to the report, and had not made public appearances since the appointment.