Key Facts

• Ali Khamenei, Iran’s previous supreme leader, died in a U.S. airstrike on February 28.
• Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the new supreme leader after his father’s death.
• Mojtaba has not made any public appearances since taking over and did not attend his wife’s funeral, who also died in the airstrike.
• Iranian officials say Mojtaba’s absence is due to security concerns, though some reports claim he was seriously wounded.
• Funeral ceremonies for Ali Khamenei are taking place across Iran and Iraq during an important religious period called Muharram.
• The ceremonies are being used by the Iranian government to unite supporters and send political messages.
• Mojtaba Khamenei has released written statements but remains unseen in person.
• Ali Khamenei will be buried in Mashhad, his birthplace, on July 9, with processions planned through Iraq.