Will Iran’s ‘missing’ Mojtaba Khamenei finally make a public appearance at his father’s funeral?

Iran is bracing to bid a final farewell to one of its longest-serving heads of state, former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

On July 9, Khamenei, after four months, will be laid to rest near the shrine of Imam Reza in the holy city of Mashhad, Iran. The ceremony for the massive display of mourning is scheduled to commence on July 4.

The 86-year-old Iranian leader who ruled for decades was killed on the first day of the US-Israel joint Operation Fury on Iran.

As the nation gears up for Khamenei's state funeral, the key question remains about his son's appearance: Will Mojtaba Khamenei finally emerge in public at his father's funeral since taking charge as the Supreme Leader?

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The reportedly severely injured younger Khamenei’s disappearance from public view has been at the centre of the "who is in charge of Iran?" debate. His appearance this time could help quell doubts about his health and leadership, but will he show up?

We take a look.

Missing for months, will Mojtaba show up?

The junior Khamenei, 56, was injured in the same February 28 airstrike that killed his father and other family members.

Iranian media confirmed his serious injuries, including a fractured foot and bruise around his left eye, with a laceration to his face. Western media, citing sources, also reported related injuries and that he suffered serious stomach or liver damage, even lost one leg and was in coma.

Since then, Iran's unseen supreme leader has not been seen in public on television, or even in a recorded video or audio message. All the statements attributed to Khamenei have been read out either by news anchors on state television or state media websites.

Despite messages of promise to fight against the US and Israel, national unity during conflict was apparent, but his physical absence only deepened the speculation about his whereabouts and Iranian leadership.

In his latest remark, on Sunday (June 26), to mark Iran's National Judiciary Week, Khamenei junior urged the country’s judiciary to pursue those responsible for crimes committed during the recent wars. The supreme leader also referred to the killing of his father, seeking stern legal action against those responsible.

In his first public message in mid-March, read on state TV, Khamenei pledged to maintain pressure on Iran's enemies.

He stressed that: "Iran does not want war but will not renounce legitimate rights." He also vowed to keep blocking the Strait of Hormuz, warning that attacks on American bases in the region could continue if required.

In April too, the same pattern of communication was followed; the unseen Iran's supreme leader was quoted as saying: "Iran would move management of the Strait of Hormuz into a new phase", emphasising that Tehran "will not forfeit its rights."

Time and again, Khamenei made remarks but never presented them publicly himself. Senior officials in Tehran stressed that the supreme leader is mentally fit, continues to participate in key decisions via audio links, and is recovering.

Despite these reassurances, some hardliners dubbed him a "missing man of Iran." Abbas Amanat, professor of history emeritus at Yale University, told CBC News that Khamenei "may even be dead."

Akaash Maharaj, senior fellow at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Public Policy, asserted that junior Khamenei may be hiding, given the dangers of providing even a minor clue about his whereabouts to US and Israeli forces, as quoted by the publication.

Khamenei can answer all of them by attending his father's funeral, making it a defining moment for Iran's four-month-old supreme leader. In Iran, major state ceremonies have traditionally been used to project solidarity and strength. Ali Khamenei attended commemorations for his predecessor, Ruhollah Khomeini, for years.

All eyes are on Khamenei to see whether he follows that long-standing tradition or breaks it. His absence this time can further deepen speculation or vulnerability at the highest levels.

The final farewell to Ali Khamenei

Millions are expected to gather in Tehran ahead of his final burial in Mashhad, as authorities roll out extensive security, transport and crowd-management measures for what could become one of the largest public gatherings in Iran's history.

The funeral ceremonies will include special prayers, a public procession through the capital, and Khamenei's final burial in his hometown of Mashhad. According to reports, officials considered an airborne procession as a contingency to address security concerns.

With inputs from agencies