Khamenei's funeral begins in Tehran; successor Mojtaba still missing

What Happened

The funeral procession for slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began advancing through the streets of Tehran this morning, following Sunday's prayers at the capital's sprawling Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla complex.

Three of Khamenei's sons appeared publicly on Sunday for the first time since their father and other family members were killed in the opening U.S.-Israeli strikes of the Iran war. However, Mojtaba Khamenei—the son who succeeded him as supreme leader—has still not made any public appearances.

Who Said What

According to CNN, the funeral procession route was "packed to capacity" with black-clad mourners "hoping to gain a glimpse of the passing cortège."

Reuters reported that some mourners expressed disappointment at the absence of Mojtaba Khamenei, whose face was reportedly "disfigured" and who suffered significant injuries to "one or both legs" in the U.S.-Israeli strikes. Al Jazeera stated that he is believed to be in hiding "due to the dangers of Israeli threats to his life."

The Associated Press noted "increasingly" common "threats from mourners to avenge Khamenei's death," including chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel," as well as signs calling for the "killing of both U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."

At the Mosalla complex, poet Mohammad Rasouli asked cheering mourners why "the biggest bastard in the world" was "still alive." At the same time, across the world, Trump was boasting he "wiped out" Iran's military during a speech celebrating America's 250th birthday.

What Next?

After a 12-hour procession through Tehran, Khamenei's body will be transported to Qom, then to important Shiite shrines in the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, and finally to Thursday's burial in his hometown of Mashhad.