Mojtaba, Is That You? Mysterious Masked Man's Appearance At Khamenei's Funeral Sparks Buzz

Last Updated:July 12, 2026, 20:07 IST

The disappearance of Mojtaba from public view since the death of his father continues to fuel speculation over who will ultimately succeed Ali Khamenei as Iran's Supreme Leader.

A mysterious masked mourner at the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has sparked widespread speculation over his identity, with many on social media wondering whether it was Mojtaba Khamenei in disguise.

The disappearance of Mojtaba Khamenei from public view since the death of his father has continued to fuel speculation over who will ultimately succeed Ali Khamenei as Iran’s Supreme Leader. State television showed Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud Khamenei standing beside the coffins at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, where thousands of mourners gathered.

The appearance of the masked man at the funeral only added to the intrigue, with several users suggesting it could have been Mojtaba concealing his identity.

However, an announcement by the Iranian authorities appeared to suggest otherwise. Officials said Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, will hold a memorial ceremony for his father in Tehran next week, indicating that the event could mark his first public appearance since Ali Khamenei’s death.

According to the announcement, the memorial for the late Iranian leader will be held on July 23 from 5 pm to 7 pm. The notice described it as a ceremony in honour of the “martyred mujahid Imam".

The masked mourner, dressed in black and wearing a baseball cap and face mask, was seen in the front row helping lead prayers for the assassinated Iranian leader.

However, the speculation proved short-lived.

According to Iran International, the masked mourner was not Mojtaba Khamenei but Mohammad Javad Khamenei — the slain ayatollah’s eldest grandson.

Javad Khamenei reportedly suffered severe facial burns during the February 28 US-Israeli airstrikes that killed Ali Khamenei, 86. The strikes also seriously disfigured Mojtaba Khamenei, according to US intelligence assessments cited by the outlet.

Mohammad Javad is the son of Mostafa Khamenei, Ali Khamenei’s eldest son, who was born around 1965, Iran International reported.

The former ruler of the Islamic Republic was laid to rest on Thursday following a six-day mourning period that, according to Iranian state media, drew nearly 43 million participants.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who has largely remained out of public view since the strikes, issued a written message on Telegram on Saturday, vowing to avenge his father’s death.

About the Author

Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has c...Read More

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