Khamenei's son will not attend his father's funeral
Iran’s new Supreme Leader, who succeeded Ali Khamenei following his death, is unlikely to attend his father’s funeral. According to a CNN source, he was advised by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to do so in order to avoid unnecessary attention surrounding his first public appearance since taking office.
The new leader is not expected to attend either the large farewell ceremonies or even the private burial, which will be attended by family members of the late Ali Khamenei.
According to a regional CNN source, Iran’s new Supreme Leader will most likely not participate in any of the events related to his father’s funeral. According to the source, this decision is based on advice from the IRGC—one of the most influential forces in Iran’s political and military system. The council is likely seeking to avoid a situation where attention is focused not on bidding farewell to Ali Khamenei, but on the country’s new leader.
Iran’s state-run television network, IRIB, reported that the funeral ceremony “will take place with the participation of members of the Supreme Leader’s family.” However, the report did not specify which relatives would be present. The new leader’s absence from public events may also be related to security concerns. Following Ali Khamenei’s death as a result of U.S. and Israeli strikes, the situation in the country remains tense, and the authorities are trying to control any public appearances by the new leader.
[video width="" height="" mp4="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA8SxDBNTvM"][/video]
Ali Khamenei’s funeral became one of the largest political events in Iran in recent times. Thousands of supporters took to the streets to bid farewell to the former Supreme Leader, and during the procession, calls for revenge for his death rang out.
Currently, Iran’s new leadership is trying to consolidate its position following the change in power, and any appearance by the new Supreme Leader is under close scrutiny both within the country and abroad, according to CNN.
As of the evening of July 9, hostilities between the U.S. and Iran continue. On the morning of July 9, the U.S. military struck a strategic railway bridge in the north of the country, which is part of an important international transport route.
