Iran’s injured Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei won’t attend his father’s funeral, sources say

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is not expected to attend his father’s funeral, an Iranian official and a Middle Eastern diplomat told NBC News.

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Khamenei, 56, who was named as successor to his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in March, has not been seen in public or even issued an audio statement since the war began.

He was severely injured in the strike that killed his father at the start of the war, according to three people with knowledge of the matter, with burns to his face and body and wounds that have required several operations to one of his legs.

But the full extent of Khamenei’s injuries — and how they are affecting his ability to fulfill his duties — remains unknown, the people said.

Khamenei’s funeral began Friday with a visit to his casket by the heads of the three branches of the Iranian government, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is also the lead negotiator in talks with the U.S., in video shown by state TV.

A number of visiting foreign dignitaries, including former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and delegations from China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, India and Afghanistan, also visited the site, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency.

Khamenei’s casket, decorated with the Iranian flag, was placed on a pedestal on a white stage with a black turban positioned on top, signifying that he is a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.

One tier below were the caskets of four family members who were killed alongside Khamenei, including his 14-month-old granddaughter, according to IRNA.

Photos published online by Iranian state media Thursday night also showed Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, who leads the paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, after having reportedly attended a meeting about Khamenei’s funeral.

Revolutionary Guard Gen. Ahmad Vahidi sits alongside Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's casket as it lies in a mourning hall in Tehran late Thursday. Iranian Supreme Leader Office / via AP

Vahidi, not seen in public since before the war, was then seen sitting alongside Khamenei’s casket at what The Associated Press reported was a smaller service Thursday night near Khamenei’s former home in downtown Tehran.

Iran warned the U.S. and Israel on Thursday against launching any attack on the country ahead of the event, which millions are expected to attend.

Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warned the two countries “to avoid any miscalculations and to think about the harsh and regret-inducing reactions” they might face.

Local and foreign officials walk past Khamenei's coffin after paying their respects. Atta Kenare / AFP via Getty Images

The funeral is expected to be a show of force as the regime tries to demonstrate its continued hold over the nation after having survived the U.S. and Israel’s devastating assault.

In images published by the AP and Getty Images, a large crowd surrounded the coffin carrying Khamenei’s remains Friday morning, some weeping as they paid tribute to a leader who was worshipped by some and reviled by others.

Members of the Revolutionary Guard knelt outside the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla mosque. Under Khamenei, the Revolutionary Guard became the top military, political and economic force in the country.

Mourners carry Khamenei's coffin at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran on Friday. Atta Kenare / AFP via Getty Images

Millions of Iranians are expected to pay their respects to Khamenei, who ruled Iran for nearly four decades.

Those gathering for the lying in state and funeral will contrast with huge nationwide protests in January that were met by a deadly crackdown by security forces that left thousands dead and sent shock waves around the world.

Security was tight as officials prepared for the massive funeral procession, with Tehran’s mayor saying it could be the biggest event in this city’s modern history and organizers expecting 15 million to 20 million people.

An NBC News crew in Tehran observed little traffic on the streets, and while shops were open, they were expected to be closed throughout the official period of mourning.

People were being told that if they cannot reach the city, they should leave their cars on the highway on the outskirts and take buses into central Tehran. Public transportation was also made free for the funeral events.

Khamenei was killed at age 86, along with members of his family, including his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, at the start of the Iran war on Feb. 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched sweeping attacks.

Photos of the elder Khamenei from his early years in power to his final days were on display across the capital Friday ahead of the funeral processions expected to be attended by millions.

A viewing of Khamenei’s coffin and prayers are expected Saturday and Sunday at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran, with a funeral procession expected to flood the streets of the capital Monday.