Khamenei: Sons attend funeral prayers as Iran mourns late supreme leader

TEHRAN : Three sons of the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended funeral prayers in Tehran on Sunday, while Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father as Iran’s supreme leader, did not make a public appearance.

Iranian state television showed Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud Khamenei praying beside their father’s coffin and those of four other family members in the courtyard of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, one of the country’s largest religious complexes.

Iran has launched a week-long series of funeral ceremonies to honour the late leader, with authorities planning large public processions and religious events in Iran and neighbouring Iraq.

Khamenei’s coffin was displayed outdoors under glass on Saturday after senior Iranian officials and foreign dignitaries paid their respects during a lying-in-state ceremony. The coffins of his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and 14-month-old granddaughter were also placed alongside his.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who became Iran’s supreme leader after his father’s death, has not appeared publicly since the attack on February 28 that killed several members of the Khamenei family. Reports have said he was injured during the Israeli and US strikes that marked the beginning of the conflict.

A ceasefire brokered after four months of fighting remains in effect under an agreement with Washington. Iranian officials have described the deal as a victory that they believe will bring significant economic benefits to the country.

US President Donald Trump told the Axios news website that peace talks had been paused for one week to allow Iran to observe the funeral ceremonies.

President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf joined funeral prayers on Sunday alongside senior officials.

State television showed Masoud Khamenei visibly emotional during the prayers as he wiped away tears while an imam led the funeral service.

Thousands of mourners gathered at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, with many weeping and beating their chests in mourning. Tehran’s metro operator said around seven million passenger journeys were recorded between Saturday night and Sunday morning as crowds travelled to attend the ceremonies.

Iranian authorities plan to hold a major funeral procession in central Tehran on Monday before transferring Khamenei’s remains to the holy city of Qom on Tuesday.

The body will then be taken to the Iraqi shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday before returning to Iran for a final procession in Mashhad, where Khamenei will be buried near the shrine of Imam Ali al-Ridha.

Authorities expect millions of people to participate in the coming days and have arranged transport, food and accommodation for mourners.