New York/Tehran (HRNW)- Iran’s intelligence and security agencies reportedly denied Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei security clearance to attend the funeral of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a report published by The New York Times.
The American newspaper claimed, citing four senior Iranian officials involved in funeral security arrangements, that security authorities feared Mojtaba Khamenei could become a target for Israel or that his location could be exposed if he appeared in public during the funeral.
According to the report, Mojtaba Khamenei wished to attend his father’s funeral prayers and personally oversee the burial in Mashhad on July 9. However, Iranian security officials reportedly refused to grant him clearance.
The New York Times said two members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and another source involved in the funeral arrangements provided the information on condition of anonymity.
The report also stated that the senior government appointments made by Mojtaba Khamenei following his father’s funeral could indicate whether he intends to favor Iran’s hardline or relatively moderate political factions.
According to the report, Mojtaba Khamenei became Iran’s new Supreme Leader after his father was reportedly killed in a US and Israeli attack on February 28. It added that he has not appeared publicly since then, and his statements have instead been read on Iranian state television.
The report further claimed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his wife, and one of his sons were killed in the same attack, while Mojtaba Khamenei himself was injured. It also alleged that Mojtaba Khamenei’s wife was killed in the attack and buried recently, but he was unable to attend her funeral because of security concerns.
According to the newspaper, political divisions within Iran’s conservative establishment have also intensified. Hardline factions reportedly oppose diplomacy with the United States, while relatively moderate figures, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, support continuing negotiations with Washington in light of the country’s economic challenges.
It should be noted that all information in this report is based on claims made by The New York Times and unnamed sources. The Iranian government and the office of Mojtaba Khamenei have not officially confirmed or denied these allegations.
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