Ali Khamenei's burial will be restricted to family, says Iranian media

Only family members will attend the burial of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this Thursday (9) in Mashhad, according to state media, raising expectations for Mojtaba Khamenei's first public appearance as supreme leader.

This would mark the first time Mojtaba has been seen in public since his appointment as leader of Iran following the assassination of his father in an Israeli attack coordinated with the United States in late February that triggered the war.

However, despite the announcement, it is unclear whether he will attend the burial, as he was completely absent during the week of ceremonies.

State media has not released the names of those who will attend, but Mojtaba's brothers - Mostafa, Masoud and Meysam - represented the family throughout the week of processions.

Security threats have also increased since the resumption of US-Iran hostilities. Additionally, Israel declared last week that the supreme leader is "marked for death."

The new supreme leader is believed to have been injured in the February attacks. He has remained in hiding since the start of the war, communicating with supporters only through written statements and never appearing in public or using his own voice.

Over the past week, crowds of mourners filled the streets of five cities in two countries to say goodbye to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a grand funeral ceremony.

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Source: CNN