Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is set to make his first public appearance later this month, leading a large-scale memorial ceremony for his late father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran on July 23. The event will run from 5 PM to 7 PM and is expected to be attended by key political leaders, military officials, and senior figures across Iran. Since taking over as Supreme Leader, Mojtaba has not appeared publicly even once, staying at an undisclosed location for security reasons, and was absent from his father’s recent funeral as well as his own wife’s funeral two weeks ago following her death.
Security concerns are not the only reason behind his absence — health issues are also reportedly a factor. Mojtaba’s family suffered heavily in the February 28 attacks on the Khamenei compound in Iran, in which one of his two daughters was killed. Mojtaba himself was reportedly seriously injured in the same attack and has been receiving treatment at a secret location since then.
Despite staying out of public view, Mojtaba has remained in touch with the Iranian people through social media, repeatedly condemning the attacks on Iran. In a recent Telegram post, he vowed to take definite revenge on those responsible for his father’s death, warning that the countries responsible would face severe consequences.