Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's coffin was transported to the site of a 1981 assassination attempt on his life, state media reported on Thursday. The move came as thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran for the funeral procession, while notable by his absence was Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, fueling speculation over succession plans.
Coffin Taken to Historical Assassination Site
The coffin, draped in the Iranian flag, was taken to the Abuzar Mosque in Tehran, where a bomb explosion targeted Khamenei in 1981, killing several people. Khamenei, then a senior cleric, survived the attack but lost the use of his right arm. The visit to the site was part of a multi-day funeral ceremony that included prayers by senior clerics and a public procession through the capital.
According to state-run Press TV, the coffin was later moved to the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery for burial, where Khamenei was laid to rest next to his predecessor, Ruhollah Khomeini. The funeral drew hundreds of thousands of mourners, with many waving Iranian flags and chanting slogans.
Mojtaba Khamenei's Absence Raises Questions
Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader's son and a prominent cleric, did not attend the funeral, according to multiple reports. His absence was particularly noticeable given his role as a potential successor. Mojtaba, 55, has been widely seen as a frontrunner to inherit the position of Supreme Leader, a role that has been held by his father since 1989.
Political analysts suggest that Mojtaba's absence may be a strategic move to avoid public scrutiny or to signal a transition of power behind the scenes. “Mojtaba skipping the funeral is highly unusual,” said Dr. Reza Alavi, a political analyst at the University of Tehran. “It could indicate internal divisions within the regime or a deliberate effort to manage the succession process discreetly.”
However, Iranian officials denied any rift, stating that Mojtaba was observing a period of mourning in private. “The family has requested privacy during this difficult time,” said a spokesperson for the Office of the Supreme Leader.
Succession Speculation Intensifies
The funeral has intensified speculation about who will succeed Khamenei, who died at age 87 after a prolonged illness. Under Iran's constitution, the Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 clerics, is responsible for selecting the next Supreme Leader. Mojtaba is considered a strong candidate, but other figures, including President Ebrahim Raisi, are also in contention.
Raisi, who attended the funeral, has been seen as a potential successor, though his popularity has waned amid economic crises and protests. The Assembly of Experts is expected to convene within weeks to discuss the succession.
The funeral also saw the presence of foreign dignitaries, including representatives from Russia, China, and Syria. The United States and European Union sent no official representatives, though they issued statements of condolence.
Security Tightened Amid Mourning
Security was tight throughout the funeral, with thousands of security personnel deployed to prevent any incidents. The Iranian government declared three days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast. Schools, banks, and government offices were closed in Tehran and other major cities.
The assassination site visit was a poignant reminder of the violence that marked Khamenei's early years in power. The 1981 bombing was one of several attacks by the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK) group, which opposed the Islamic Republic. Khamenei's survival of that attack bolstered his image as a resilient leader.
As Iran enters a new era without its long-serving Supreme Leader, the coming weeks will be critical in determining the country's political direction. The absence of Mojtaba at the funeral has only added to the intrigue surrounding the succession.
