Iran Denies Mojtaba Khamenei Leave to Attend Father's Funeral Amid Security Fears

Iranian security officials have denied Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei permission to attend his father's funeral, according to reports. The authorities reportedly fear that Israel might assassinate or track Mojtaba Khamenei if he were to appear publicly.

Mojtaba Khamenei had sought to lead the funeral ceremony for his father, Ali Khamenei, scheduled for July 9 in Mashhad. However, his request has been denied, citing concerns from two unnamed members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and an individual involved in planning the funeral events.

Khamenei has not been seen in public since sustaining injuries. His father, wife, and son were killed in an earlier US-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran on February 28. He also missed a memorial event for his late wife in Tehran on Wednesday, according to The Times of Israel.

Four senior Iranian officials, speaking to The New York Times, expressed concerns that Mojtaba Khamenei's prolonged absence from public view could jeopardize his hold on power. Despite written statements attributed to him approving negotiations with the US, hardline conservative factions in Iran have vowed to reject diplomacy until he appears publicly or releases audio recordings.