Pictures from the funeral. Image source: Iran International
Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, was conspicuously absent from the funeral of his wife, Zahra Haddad-Adel, who was killed in the February 28 US-Israeli raid on Ali Khamenei’s residence.The funeral was held on Wednesday at Farhang High School in Tehran and was attended by her father, Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel, the former Speaker of Parliament, along with her relatives and fellow teachers. Zahra Haddad-Adel, born in 1979, was a teacher in the Tehran girls’ branch of the Farhang School Network and obtained a degree in communication sciences from Allameh Tabatabai University.
Image source: Iran International
Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen by the Assembly of Experts to be the third Supreme Leader shortly after his father’s death.
However, since that time, he has not physically appeared at any ceremonies or public events, and has only communicated with his supporters through written statements.
Speculation about his health and whereabouts
After the death of Ali Khamenei, reports spread that Mojtaba was injured in the strikes, and accounts vary about estimates of his injuries, ranging from minor wounds to amputation of limbs. Iranian Ministry of Health officials claimed that his injuries were minor, requiring only “one or two stitches,” and that he was discharged from the hospital on March 1.
However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested his injuries may have been more serious, with reports that he suffered burns to his face and lips that made it difficult for him to speak.No new photos or videos of him have been published yet, even from private circles. This absence comes as Iran prepares for Ali Khamenei’s six-day state funeral, which begins on July 4 and extends to five cities including Tehran, Qom and Mashhad. He is scheduled to be buried on July 9 at the Imam Reza Shrine.It remains unclear whether Mojtaba will attend his father’s funeral, a decision that may prove his legitimacy or deepen doubts about his health and ability to lead.
