New York Times: Security Officials Refused Mojtaba Khamenei's Participation in His Father's Funeral

SadaNews - The American newspaper New York Times reported on Saturday that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei wished to participate in his father's funeral, the former leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an American-Israeli strike.

The newspaper quoted two sources from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and a third involved in planning the funeral, stating that Mojtaba Khamenei informed Iranian officials of his desire to attend the funeral ceremonies of his father at the shrine of Imam Reza, scheduled to be held on July 9th.

The sources indicated that Khamenei's son wishes to recite the funeral prayer over his father's body.

The sources mentioned that security officials have so far rejected the idea, fearing that Israel might attempt to assassinate him or track his movements to his hideout.

Iran officially began the funeral ceremonies for former leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday morning, which will last for six days and include stops in Iraq before his body is buried in Mashhad.

Thousands of mourners flocked since dawn to the courtyard of the Grand Tehran Mosque where Khamenei's coffin is laid, carrying red flags inscribed with "Martyr."

Participants chanted "Death to America, Death to Israel" and "Revenge, Revenge," according to the French Press Agency.

The flow of participants to the site began at dawn, with most of them dressed in black.

Khamenei was killed in an Israeli strike on his residence in Tehran on the first day of the American-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, which led to an outbreak of war extending to several countries in the Middle East.

He was temporarily buried until a ceasefire allowed for the organization of his official funeral ceremonies.