TEHERÁN — Mojtaba Jamenei was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of Iran following the death of his father, Ali Jamenei. Mojtaba Jamenei did not attend the public funeral or burial ceremonies in Tehran and Mashhad on July 9, 2026.

A funeral ceremony for Ali Jamenei took place at the Mosalla mosque in Tehran on July 9, 2026. Mojtaba Jamenei was not present at this ceremony in Tehran, nor did he attend his father's burial in Mashhad. He also did not stand alongside his brothers Mostafa, Masoud, and Meysam during the burial.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on social media mocking Mojtaba Jamenei's absence from the funeral. A blurry video circulated on social media showed a man in clerical robes observing the Tehran funeral from a balcony. Mourners in Tehran chanted, "Here I am at your service, Mojtaba," during the commemoration ceremonies.

Mojtaba Jamenei has remained out of public view since the start of the war, communicating only through written statements. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the new Supreme Leader was marked for death. Katz said, "Dado el alcance de los fallos de inteligencia de la República Islámica durante la guerra, cualquier aparición pública de Mojtaba podría exponerlo a un asesinato."

Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, stated that Jamenei's absence suggests either deep paranoia regarding his security or significant injuries from which he has not sufficiently recovered for a public appearance. Mohsen Milani, a professor and author, stated that any public appearance by Mojtaba Jamenei could expose him to assassination. Milani said, "Esto pondría en peligro tanto la sucesión como la capacidad de Teherán para negociar con Washington o gestionar un conflicto renovado." Iranian medical officials stated that Mojtaba Jamenei was not seriously injured in an attack. U.S. intelligence assessed in May 2026 that Mojtaba Jamenei was playing a critical role in shaping war strategy alongside high-ranking Iranian officials.