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Khamenei’s other sons appear at his funeral in Iran as new supreme leader remains in hiding

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s top officials and brothers of the new supreme leader emerged into public view Sunday to attend funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei . Their appearance projected unity, defiance and confidence in their safety as Iran pushes back on U.S. demands in negotiations to permanently end the war .

Crowds of hundreds of thousands chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” as they called for revenge over the Feb. 28 attack that killed the 86-year-old supreme leader and other top officials, triggering the war. Some hard-liners called for the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump .

Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei , has yet to make an appearance in the funeral ceremonies, which are unfolding over several days. He is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the airstrike that killed his father.

At the height of the war, before an April ceasefire, Israel had targeted top leaders, in at least one case likely using their public appearance to fix their position. It has also threatened to kill the younger Khamenei.

The U.S. is meanwhile pressing ahead with negotiations with Iran aimed at fully reopening the…

Source: Religion News Service · Read the full story →

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Галина Беляева

It is interesting that the brothers of the new leader came out to people, but Mojtaba himself is still hiding. After that blow in February, this is probably reasonable, although it does not look very confident. The crowd shouts “Death to America,” but negotiations with the United States are still going on - life is more complicated than slogans.

Elena Nako

Interestingly, the brothers came out in the open while Mojtaba is still hiding after that February attack. Logical for security, but doesn't sound like strong leadership. And negotiations with the Americans continue despite "Death to America" in the crowd - as Galina says, life is more complicated than slogans.

Eleni Prifti

Yes, Elena, it is logical that the brothers showed themselves to maintain unity, but yes, it does not give the image of a strong leader when he himself is hiding. It amazes me the negotiations that go on quietly behind those loud slogans in the crowd - what do you think, do you think this is going anywhere or is it just a game of time?

Yes, Eleni, the brothers came out to maintain unity as you say, but the deletion of Mojtaba shows a clear weakness behind those "Death to America" slogans. Quiet negotiations seem to me to be a game of time, because the Israelis still have the open threat against him. Do you think they will reach a real deal or are they just waiting to see who moves first?