Mojtaba Khamenei Appointed Iran's Supreme Leader After Father's Death, Skips Funeral

Mojtaba Khamenei did not appear at the funeral ceremonies for his father Ali Khamenei. -Israeli war with Iran. The ceremonies culminated Thursday in the holy city of Mashhad. Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed supreme leader shortly after his father's death.

He has communicated only through written statements and made no public appearances since. The 56-year-old was absent despite the presence of speaker of parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, chief justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and Ali Khamenei's eldest son Mostafa Khamenei at the burial. Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Vahidi appeared during the Tehran events.

Vahidi had not been seen during the war, and his predecessor was killed in the same strike that killed Ali Khamenei. Ali Khamenei had been named supreme leader in 1989. France 24 reported that Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since the strikes and was wounded in the attack that also killed his wife.

Al-Monitor reported that the balance of power between the supreme leader's office and the IRGC has shifted and that Mojtaba Khamenei is a weaker leader than his father. Jason Brodsky said Mojtaba Khamenei relied on IRGC support to win the post and is more dependent on the force. Brodsky noted that it took Ali Khamenei years to consolidate authority after 1989.