Masked Mourner at Khamenei Funeral Identified as Grandson, Not Son

A masked figure seen at the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which fuelled speculation that his successor and son Mojtaba Khamenei had finally appeared in public, has been identified as the late leader's eldest grandson. The mourner, seen in the front row helping lead prayers for the assassinated supreme leader, wore a baseball hat and a black mask covering his face. Social media users speculated the figure could be Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public since the February 28 US-Israeli strikes that killed his father. But the man was Mohammad Javad Khamenei, the slain ayatollah's eldest grandson, according to Iran International and Rokna news agency. Javad Khamenei was badly injured and suffered severe burns to his face during the February 28 strikes that killed his grandfather, according to reports. He is the son of Mostafa Khamenei, Ali Khamenei's eldest son. US intelligence reports have indicated that Mojtaba Khamenei was also badly disfigured in the same attack. The new supreme leader has neither appeared in public nor released any voice or audio message since taking office in March, fuelling continued speculation over his condition and whereabouts. The former supreme leader was buried on Thursday after a six-day ceremony that state media said drew as many as 43 million people across Iran and Iraq. Mojtaba Khamenei released a written message on Telegram on Saturday vowing to avenge his father's death, his first public communication since the funeral.