Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said representatives from about 100 countries are attending the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, including at least eight heads of state. Russian and Chinese delegations paid respects, as the body arrived at the farewell ceremony. The son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is unlikely to attend due to security concerns, according to a regime representative.
Iran's Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that representatives from approximately 100 countries, including at least eight heads of state, are attending the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The announcement, made by spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, follows earlier reports of wide international participation. Simultaneously, a regime representative stated that Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader's son, is unlikely to attend the funeral prayers due to security concerns, underscoring the regime's heightened security posture.
The Zioneer has tracked this story since the first public display of Khamenei's coffin Thursday night. The official funeral procession began Friday morning at the Mosalla complex, with the body arriving at the prepared site. The regime subsequently announced a multi-city schedule, and reports of international delegations trickled in: first ten countries, then nearly 100. The source quality evolved from single Persian-language Telegram posts to official statements from the Foreign Ministry.
The funeral is the largest public display of the regime's stability since Khamenei's elimination in Operation Roaring Lion four months ago, as The Zioneer reported. Background: The Zioneer previously reported that neighboring countries sought to send over one million mourners, and that the IRGC commander appeared at the funeral. The regime has excluded European countries that supported Israeli and US strikes.
While the attendance numbers are now official, the absence of Mojtaba Khamenei remains based on a single representative's statement, not officially confirmed. The succession question, unresolved since the funeral began, continues to loom.
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