Iran is preparing to hold the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, according to reports in Iranian media. The main funeral procession will take place in the city of Qom, with separate memorial ceremonies for family members who were killed during Operation “Lion’s Roar.” Khamenei was killed in a surprise attack on February 28, the first day of the war.
Alongside the funeral announcement, speculation is growing that Iran’s new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, may appear in public for the first time since taking office. Various sources believe the funeral events—expected to draw massive crowds and senior Iranian officials—will provide the most appropriate stage for the younger Khamenei’s debut.
Since the start of the war, and especially since his appointment as Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public. According to various reports, he’s been staying in a hideout whose location is kept secret, due to fears of assassination attempts. Khamenei was reportedly present in the compound where his father was staying during the strike that killed him, and was himself injured in the attack. However, no official information has been released about the nature of his injuries or his medical condition.
His prolonged absence from public view has sparked a wave of speculation inside Iran and beyond. While messages attributed to him continue to be published through official channels and social media, there’s no proof that he’s actually behind them or that he’s directly managing the regime’s operations.
The West and regional states are closely monitoring developments. A first public appearance by Khamenei would provide an initial indication of his health and how he intends to lead Iran in the post-war period. For the Tehran regime, it’s also an opportunity to project stability and continuity after months of security and political upheaval.
Still, these remain assessments only. It’s unclear whether Khamenei will choose to participate in the funeral ceremonies publicly, or continue avoiding exposure for security reasons. Even after the agreement between Washington and Tehran, various sources in Iran believe a possible threat from Israel is still being taken into account—which could influence his decision whether to emerge from hiding and appear before the public for the first time since taking power.