Iran’s representative in India has said that Mojtaba Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader of Iran and son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will not attend his father’s funeral and burial ceremonies. The envoy, Ayatollah Hakim Elahi, told India Today that the decision was made for security reasons. He cited ongoing threats from Israel against Iran’s top leadership as the main cause for Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence.

The report comes after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made threatening remarks directed at Khamenei. In response, Iran’s foreign minister warned that any future threats would be met with a strong reaction. The funeral and state mourning ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 during the onset of a conflict involving the United States and Israel, are being held over several days in Iran.

The situation underscores heightened regional tensions and security concerns surrounding Iran’s leadership during the national mourning period.