TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei did not attend the funeral prayers of his wife, Zahra Haddad Adel, after security authorities reportedly advised against his public appearance due to safety concerns, according to international media reports.
Zahra Haddad Adel was laid to rest in Tehran during the first day of funeral ceremonies for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed along with several close associates in an Israeli strike on February 28.
Reports said heightened security measures followed Israeli warnings issued after the announcement of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral, with Israel stating that Iran’s leadership remained a potential target.
Media reports claimed Mojtaba Khamenei was among those considered at high risk, prompting authorities to withhold security clearance for his attendance at the funeral.
Mujtaba Khamenei has largely remained out of the public eye since assuming the role of Supreme Leader.
Zahra Haddad Adel was the daughter of Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, a prominent conservative politician and former speaker of Iran’s parliament.
He is widely regarded as one of the closest political allies of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and has held several senior political and academic positions throughout his career.
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