Ali Khamenei’s funeral preparations completed, will the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba appear before the world for the first time?

Washington. Four months after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, preparations for his state funeral in the country have reached the final stage. Following his death in American and Israeli air strikes, the Iranian government has announced a five-day national mourning program starting from July 4. Meanwhile, the biggest discussion is about the possible public presence of the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

World’s eyes fixed on Mojtaba’s first public appearance

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s 56-year-old son and current supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public for the past several months. It is being told that he was also seriously injured in the same air attack on February 28. According to reports, he suffered serious injuries on his face and legs.

Although Iranian government media is continuously claiming that Mojtaba is healthy and playing an active role in all important decisions related to governance, but till now no video or audio message of his has been made public. For this reason, speculation continues regarding his condition.

Mourning program will continue for five days

According to the program released by the Government of Iran, the state tribute ceremony will begin in the capital Tehran on July 4. After this the last journey will be taken to Kom, a city of religious importance. From there, the procession will pass through Iraq’s major holy sites and reach Mashhad on July 9, where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be laid to rest.

Confirmation of being injured in the attack

Iranian state media has already acknowledged that Mojtaba Khamenei was also injured in the airstrike on the central compound in Tehran. Ali Khamenei and several senior military officers were killed in the same attack. Due to his not appearing in public for a long time, there were reports of posters being put up related to his disappearance in some cities including Karaj.

conveying messages through written statements

There has been no direct public address from Mojtaba Khamenei since assuming the post of Supreme Leader. All messages issued in his name have been read out on state television and official media.

In his first message issued in March, he had emphasized on the policy of maintaining pressure against the country’s adversaries and keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed. He had said that Iran does not want war, but will not step back from its rights either.

After this, in another written message issued in April, he talked about taking the management of the Strait of Hormuz to a new stage. Along with this, while warning America and Israel, they also appealed to the countrymen to maintain better relations with the neighboring countries and remain united.

Strict instructions given to the judiciary

In a new written message issued on Sunday on the occasion of National Judiciary Week, Mojtaba Khamenei called on the judiciary to step up legal action against forces responsible for alleged crimes during the conflict that began in February and the June 2025 war. He cited statements by American and Israeli officials regarding the deaths of children in Minab and Lamerd, attacks on hospitals and the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as evidence against him.

Changed global perception about America

Meanwhile, citing a recent report of Pew Research Center, it has been said that during the regional conflict, negative perception towards America has increased in many countries. According to the report, as the conflict progressed, support for the US as a partner for peace and stability declined.

The biggest question on attendance at the funeral

In the history of Iran, state funerals of supreme leaders have always been a symbol of unity of power and display of political power. In such a situation, the biggest question now is whether Mojtaba Khamenei will appear in public for the first time. If he attends the funeral, it will be considered a sign of the strength of his leadership, while his absence may give rise to new speculations about the ruling establishment.