Analysis: Ali Khamenei's funeral will show who runs Iran

Millions of people are expected to gather this weekend for the funeral tributes to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28, on the first day of Iran's war against the United States and Israel.

For CNN's senior International analyst, Américo Martins, the funeral will represent a concrete opportunity to observe who, in fact, is in charge of the country. The United States and Israel claim to have decimated the top brass of the Iranian regime, and the funeral ceremony could reveal the real state of the Iranian leadership after the intense bombings suffered in the recent conflict.

Demonstration of strength and resilience
Iranian authorities are using the funeral tributes to convey a clear message of strength and continuity. According to Américo, the objective is to demonstrate that the regime remains intact, despite attacks from the two military powers, and that theocracy continues to challenge both Israel and the United States.

"The idea that they did lose their supreme leader, but they didn't lose the war," said the analyst, adding that "the dictatorship continues" and that there is a narrative of continuity being constructed by the Iranian authorities.

Unknown: will the successor appear?
The main question surrounding the ceremonies is whether Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Khamenei's son and his successor in office, will make a public appearance during the five days of tributes. If he appears, it would be the first time since he took over his father's position.

Information indicates that he was seriously injured in the attacks that killed Ali Khamenei on February 28, which would explain his public absence to date.

If Mojtaba Khamenei appears, he will gain legitimacy among the Iranian people and project strength in the Middle East region. If he does not attend, doubts about his health and who actually governs Iran will intensify.

Américo Martins also highlighted that, throughout the recent fighting, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard emerged strengthened, with more political power - a factor that, according to him, only reinforces the Iranian dictatorship.

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Source: CNN