Mojtaba Khamenei is unlikely to make a public appearance at the funeral of his father, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, because of serious security concerns, the Supreme Leader's Representative in India, Ayatollah Hakim Elahi said, India Today reports.
In an exclusive interview with India Today's Foreign Affairs Editor Geeta Mohan, Ayatollah Hakim Elahi said the decision was driven by security concerns as tensions with Israel remain high ahead of the state funeral. "I was in Iran last week and met some of my friends who met him. They said he wants to come out. He wants to meet people. But the security doesn't allow him to come," Elahi said.
"They said it is very dangerous and we cannot provide security for him. I think he will not come out," he added.
The remarks come as thousands of mourners and dignitaries from across the world arrive in Tehran to pay their final respects to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The funeral is taking place amid heightened tensions in the region following Iran's conflict with Israel and the US. Describing the atmosphere in Iran, Elahi said the country had been in mourning since the Supreme Leader's death and that his supporters viewed the loss as irreplaceable.
"It is a very, very big loss for them. They think they have lost their spirit, their soul. They believe nothing can replace him," he said.
Speaking to India Today at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport before departing for Tehran, Elahi said people from Iran and other countries were gathering to honour the late leader and reaffirm their commitment to his legacy. "They are coming to show their solidarity and to say that we are with you, we will never forget you and we will follow your path," he said.
Asked about Israel's threats of fresh military action against Iran, Elahi asserted that the country had emerged stronger from the recent conflict. "A lot of countries were praising Iran and saying Iran won the war. Iran still is very strong and is ready to stand up," he said.
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