Iran's Supreme Leader skips father Ali Khamenei's funeral even as 3 brothers attend

Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's week-long funeral procession is underway, with thousands of people joining the prayers at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran on Sunday to bid farewell to him. However, one key person was absent: his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei. 

Mojtaba's absence from his father's funeral further raised questions over his whereabouts, even as three of his brothers were among the attendees. State media also released a showing Ali Khamenei's three sons, Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud, standing near their father's coffin during the prayers.

Iran's entire



leadership, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chief General Ahmad Vahidi and Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, was present, except Mojtaba. 

In fact, Mojtaba will completely skip the six-day funeral procession of his father, as stated earlier by the Iranian officials.

56-year-old Mojtaba has not been seen in public since the United States (US) and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28, which eventually killed Ali Khamenei. Reportedly, Mojtaba was severely injured in those strikes and is getting treated.