Iranian security officials have prevented Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei from attending the funeral of his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, out of concern that a public appearance could make him a target for assassination, according to a report by the New York Times.
The Times, drawing on accounts from two members of the Revolutionary Guards and one person involved in planning the funeral, said Mojtaba Khamenei had wished to attend the services and personally lead the funeral prayer over his father’s body. Security officials denied that request, fearing that Israel could either target him directly or use the event to pinpoint his whereabouts.
Mojtaba Khamenei has not made any public appearance since Ali Khamenei and a number of family members died in an airstrike on February 28.
Iran has launched a series of funeral events for the former supreme leader. Iranian state media reported Friday that Ali Khamenei’s body was moved to the Imam Khomeini complex in Tehran, where his remains and those of several relatives are on public display ahead of ceremonies running from July 4 through July 9.
Officials anticipate the multi-city events will draw millions of mourners from across the country.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian extended invitations to foreign leaders and official delegations to take part in the funeral and burial proceedings. According to the Times of India, invitations were sent to Russia, China, India, and Pakistan.
Iranian officials also put the United States and Israel on notice, warning against any military action during the funeral period. Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, issued a statement through state media declaring: “We warn the enemies of Iran, especially the US and the Zionist regime (Israel), to avoid any miscalculation and to think about the harsh retaliation our armed forces would make to any threat and aggression against our country.”
