Mojtaba Khamenei Will Not Attend the Funeral of His Father, Ayatollah Khamenei

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei will not attend the funeral ceremonies of his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, because of security concerns, according to his representative.

Ayatollah Hakim Elahi said that threats from Israel and the risk of surveillance would make Mojtaba Khamenei's public appearance "dangerous", India's ANI news agency reported.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, was killed on February 28, the same day the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, sparking a wider conflict in the Middle East.

The funeral ceremonies for the former supreme leader will begin in Tehran on July 4 and conclude with his burial in his hometown of Mashhad, the holy city in northeastern Iran, on July 9.

The six-day programme will also include ceremonies in the holy city of Qom, south of Tehran, on July 7, along with other religious observances.

Iranian authorities expect millions of mourners to take part in the funeral processions throughout the six-day period, making the event one of the world's most closely watched public gatherings.