Dead, disfigured by the war or hidden for safety - why isn’t Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei at his own father’s funeral?It’s the million-dollar question as Tehran hosts the third day of a massive public event ahead of Ali Khamenei’s burial. On today’s Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to Iranian-American historian and writer Arash Azizi about the possible theories, why the funeral was heavy on revenge and martyrdom, and what the event tells us about the post-war Iranian regime’s attitude towards the US.
Dead, disfigured by the war or hidden for safety - why isn’t Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei at his own father’s funeral?
It’s the million-dollar question as Tehran hosts the third day of a massive public event ahead of Ali Khamenei’s burial. On today’s Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey speaks to Iranian-American historian and writer Arash Azizi about the possible theories, why the funeral was heavy on revenge and martyrdom, and what the event tells us about the post-war Iranian regime’s attitude towards the US.
Plus, as Nato leaders prepare for the alliance’s most significant summit, President Donald Trump looms large over proceedings. Roland Oliphant looks at what’s at stake in this week’s meetings, while Sophia Yan explains how Turkey is using the event to crack down on dissent.
Highlights
- ‘Kill Trump’: Iran holds revenge funeral
- Where is Iran’s new supreme leader?
CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Sophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yan
Roland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphant
Arash Azizi, author and historian Yale University @arash_tehran
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk
CONTENT REFERENCED:
Iranians call for revenge as mourners gather for Khamenei’s funeral
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/04/iranians-revenge-mourners-for-khamenei-funeral/
Khamenei’s funeral masks a battle for Iran’s soul
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/04/khameneis-funeral-masks-a-battle-for-iran-soul/
Mojtaba Khamenei misses father’s funeral
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/05/mojtaba-khamenei-misses-fathers-funeral/
Ahmadinejad back from the dead at Khamenei’s funeral
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/06/ahmadinejad-back-from-the-dead-khameneis-funeral/
Erdogan crushes dissent before rolling out Nato red carpet
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/07/recep-erdogan-turkey-ankara-dissent-nato-summit-ankara/
Producer: Max Bower
Video Producer: Peter Shevlin
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey
► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor
► EMAIL US: Contact the team on battlelines@telegraph.co.uk
► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
