Iranians pray for slain Khamenei, but successor is absent

Iranian leaders and vast crowds gathered Sunday for funeral prayers for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed at age 86 in an airstrike on February 28 during the US-Israeli war with Iran. The ceremonies marked the second day of national mourning.

President Masoud Pezeshkian and Revolutionary Guards chief Ahmad Vahidi were among officials paying their respects at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex. However, Khamenei's son and designated successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, was conspicuously absent. He has not appeared publicly since his early March appointment and is reportedly wounded from the attack that killed his father.

Thousands of mourners braved temperatures exceeding 35C, with many receiving refreshments as they made their way to the complex. Authorities anticipated over 10 million people would participate in the capital's ceremonies. Strict security measures were in place, and official media warned of potential crowd crushes. Iran's IRNA news agency reported over 4,000 visits to medical centers near the Mosalla, though no deaths were recorded.

Khamenei's coffin, draped in the Iranian flag, was placed with those of four relatives, including an infant granddaughter, also killed in the strikes. The funeral is seen internationally as a test of support for the government following recent mass protests. Some mourners expressed a desire for revenge, with one attendee stating, "If our leaders are about to proceed with negotiations in this manner, our people will not agree with it."

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The killers (of Khamenei) must face punishment. If our leaders are about to proceed with negotiations in this manner, our people will not agree with it.