Iran mourns Khamenei as successor remains out of public view
Thousands of people gathered in Tehran to mourn Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during funeral ceremonies on Sunday.
(NBC)- Thousands of people gathered in Tehran to mourn Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during funeral ceremonies on Sunday.
Among those attending were three of Khamenei’s sons. However, one son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, was notably absent from the public events.
A senior Iranian official told NBC News that Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in the attack that killed his father but denied reports that he was seriously wounded or disfigured. The official described his injuries as “not very serious.”
Iran has not provided an explanation for his absence, though security concerns have been suggested as a possible reason. Israel’s defense minister has said Mojtaba Khamenei is “marked for death.”
Khamenei’s funeral procession is expected to continue as his body is transported across Iran and into Iraq before he is laid to rest Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad.
