A mysterious masked man seen in the front row at the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been identified as the late leader's eldest grandson, Mohammad Javad Khamenei, Iran International reported. The appearance of the masked figure had fueled speculation that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the assassinated leader and a potential successor, had made his public debut.
The masked mourner was seen assisting in prayers for Ayatollah Khamenei, who was killed in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on February 28. According to U.S. intelligence reports, Javad Khamenei sustained severe burns to his face in the same incident that killed his grandfather and disfigured his uncle, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Javad Khamenei is the son of Ali Khamenei's eldest son, Mostafa Khamenei. The funeral ceremonies for the former supreme leader reportedly lasted six days and drew an estimated 43 million participants, according to state media.
Mojtaba Khamenei released a written statement on Telegram Saturday, vowing to avenge his father's death.