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الوسم: ayatollah

  • Massive Crowds Gather for Khamenei Funeral in Iran

    Massive Crowds Gather for Khamenei Funeral in Iran

    People gather in Tehran for the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, whose image is displayed on a banner during the public farewell ceremony at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla. The event took place on July 4, 2026, at a time when Khamenei’s death was officially announced following Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on February 28 that resulted in his martyrdom.

    The funeral aimed to showcase Iran’s unity and resilience. Khamenei led the nation from 1989 until his passing at 86. As mourners chanted slogans against the United States, crowds assembled in the hundreds, waving red banners symbolizing revenge, and lining the streets for miles to pay their respects. Security measures were heightened, with roads closed and airspace restrictions in place, making this the largest public gathering since the burial of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.

    The coffin was placed in state until Monday, after which a procession was scheduled through Tehran. From there, it would be transported to Qom, then Iraq’s holy cities, and finally to Mashhad for burial on Thursday. Top Iranian officials, including parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf—who was visibly emotional—attended the ceremonies alongside military leaders like Ahmad Vahidi, the new head of the Revolutionary Guards.

    Mourners carried signs of vengeance and expressed grief, while the public vigil also served as a moment to observe the posture of Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed supreme leader a week after the assassination but has yet to appear publicly and was reportedly wounded in the strike. Other family members, including Khamenei’s infant granddaughter, were also laid to rest during the ceremonies.

    International dignitaries present included Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reflecting Pakistan’s mediating role, and Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian deputy security council chairman representing President Vladimir Putin. Representatives from Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Taliban were also in attendance, emphasizing the event’s regional significance.

    Amid ongoing tensions and a temporary halt in Middle East hostilities following a tentative Iran-U.S. truce, Iranian officials have warned that they are prepared to resume fighting if necessary. Ghalibaf called on Iranians to show unity and strength, urging mass participation in the upcoming events. Army Chief Amir Hatami pledged that Israel and the U.S. would be held accountable for Khamenei’s death.

    Authorities prioritized crowd safety, aware of past incidents involving large gatherings. Extra precautions included water spray trucks to combat the intense summer heat, with temperatures expected to soar past 95°F. The city’s streets appeared notably quieter than usual as Tehran prepared to honor its former leader with dignified ceremonies spanning several days.

  • Mojtaba Khamenei: Iran’s Potential Next Supreme Leader

    Mojtaba Khamenei: Iran’s Potential Next Supreme Leader

    Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, visited Hezbollah’s office in Tehran on October 1, 2024. — Reuters

    Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has become a leading contender to succeed his late father as Iran’s Supreme Leader after years of cultivating strong connections with the elite Revolutionary Guard and gaining influence within the clerical hierarchy.

    Having survived U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran, Mojtaba is viewed by Iran’s ruling establishment as a potential successor to his father, who was martyred during an airstrike last Saturday, according to two Iranian sources.

    As a prominent mid-ranking cleric, Mojtaba has opposed reform-minded groups seeking to foster better ties with the West, especially as efforts intensify to limit Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He’s been known to favor more restrictive policies and has enjoyed broader freedoms compared to other clerics.

    His close alliance with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) enhances his power across Iran’s political and security sectors. Officials familiar with the situation describe him as operating behind the scenes as a “gatekeeper” for his father.

    “He’s got a strong base of support within the IRGC, particularly among the younger radical factions,” explained Kasra Aarabi, head of IRGC research at United Against Nuclear Iran, a U.S.-based policy group. “If Mojtaba is alive, chances are high he could succeed his father,” he added, describing Mojtaba as already functioning as a “miniature supreme leader.”

    ### Decision on the Next Supreme Leader Expected Soon

    The Assembly of Experts, responsible for selecting Iran’s next leader, is nearing a decision, with an announcement imminent, Tehran-based Assembly member Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami told state TV on Wednesday. The candidates remain unnamed.

    The supreme leader holds the ultimate authority on national policies, including foreign affairs and nuclear issues. Western nations aim to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, insisting its program is purely for civilian use.

    Should Mojtaba be chosen, he will face mounting pressure from U.S. sanctions that have severely impacted Iran’s economy. He would also encounter opposition from Iranians prepared to stage mass protests demanding more freedoms, despite the government’s violent crackdowns.

    Born in 1969 in Mashhad, Mojtaba grew up during his father’s leadership against the Shah’s regime and served as a young man in the Iran-Iraq War.

    Educated under conservative religious scholars in Qom’s seminaries—the heart of Iran’s theological education—he holds the clerical rank of Hojjatoleslam.

    Despite his influence, Mojtaba has never formally held a governmental position, though he is widely recognized as his father’s chief confidant. He has appeared at loyalty rallies but has spoken publicly only sparingly.

    His role has been a subject of controversy, with critics opposing dynastic politics in Iran—a nation that overthrew a U.S.-backed monarchy in 1979.

    ### U.S. Sanctions and Controversies

    In 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Mojtaba, citing his role as a de facto representative of the supreme leader, despite lacking any official government position. These sanctions targeted him for what the U.S. perceives as undue influence and legitimacy.

    He faced particular criticism during protests in 2022, sparked by the death of a young woman in police custody after her arrest for allegedly violating strict Islamic dress codes.

    In 2024, Mojtaba’s publicly shared video in which he announced the suspension of his religious classes in Qom stirred speculation about possible reasons behind the decision.

    Mojtaba resembles his father significantly and wears the black turban typical of Sayyeds, indicating lineage tracing back to Prophet Muhammad.

    Despite this, critics argue he lacks the clerical credentials—ranked below Ayatollah—that many believe are necessary for the role of supreme leader. His rank of Hojjatoleslam is a step below Ayatollah, a position held by his father and Iran’s founder Ruhollah Khomeini.

    He remains a candidate primarily because former President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash in 2024, removing a leading competitor.

    A 2007 U.S. diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks recounts Iranian sources describing Mojtaba as a pathway to reaching Khamenei himself. He is widely believed to have played a key role in the rise of hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, elected president in 2005.

    Mojtaba supported Ahmadinejad’s disputed 2009 re-election, which triggered Egypt-style protests suppressed by security forces, including the Basij militia. Moderate cleric Mehdi Karroubi, who ran against Ahmadinejad, accused Mojtaba of supporting him—an allegation Khamenei denied.

    His wife, who was killed in Saturday’s airstrike, was the daughter of prominent hardliner Gholamali Haddad-Adel, a former parliament speaker.

  • Tehran cautions of regional turmoil if US targets Iran

    Tehran cautions of regional turmoil if US targets Iran

    Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that if the United States were to attack Iran, it could spark a regional conflict, according to state media reports on Sunday, amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.

    The U.S. has increased its naval presence in the Middle East after President Donald Trump repeatedly issued threats of intervention if Iran did not agree to a nuclear deal or stopped suppressing protests.

    “[Trump] often claims to have brought ships… The Iranian people should not be intimidated by these actions. The threats do not concern us,” Khamenei said.

    He emphasized, “We are not the ones initiating conflict or seeking to attack other nations, but if any country attacks us or provokes us, Iran will respond decisively and strike back hard.”

    Diplomatic negotiations are still being considered, with Tehran expressing willingness for “fair” talks that do not aim to limit its defensive capabilities.

    Currently, the U.S. Navy has deployed six destroyers, one aircraft carrier, and three littoral combat ships across the region.

    The protests that erupted in late December over economic hardships have evolved into the most significant political challenge to the Islamic Republic since 1979 but have largely subsided following government repression.

    Official figures report 3,117 deaths related to the unrest, while the U.S.-based HRANA rights group says it has verified 6,713 fatalities so far. Reuters has been unable to independently confirm these numbers.

    Khamenei compared the protests to a “coup,” asserting that the purpose of what he called the “sedition” was to target and destabilize the nation’s governing centers, according to state media.