- July 18, 2026
When Will Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Make His First Public Appearance? Report Says…
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As US-Iran war escalated, US President Donald Trump claimed that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is ‘90% gone’.
Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has remained out of public view for months since the Iran war began on February 28, which killed former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His prolonged absence has fuelled speculation over when he will make his first public appearance since taking over the country’s highest office.
According to a report by i24NEWS English, Mojtaba Khamenei is expected to remain out of sight for the duration of the war with the United States. The report comes as fighting between Iran and the US continues, with missile and drone attacks exchanged over the weekend and on Monday.
Mojtaba 90% gone: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed Iran had lost its navy, air force, air defence systems and top military commanders during the conflict. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said the country’s military capabilities had been badly damaged.
“They have no navy. They have no air force. It’s all gone. Their anti-aircraft is gone. Their leaders have all been killed,” Trump said. He also claimed that Iran had lost its most senior leaders in the war.
“Their best leaders have been killed. They’re gone. Khomeini is gone,” Trump said, apparently referring to former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the first wave of US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
“His son is 90% gone,” Trump added, referring to Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father as Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly been recovering from injuries sustained in an airstrike. He was also absent from his father’s funeral ceremonies held this month in Iran and Iraq.
Trump’s remarks came as the US and Iran continued exchanging heavy missile and drone attacks.
Iran has announced that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei will hold a memorial ceremony for his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran next week. However, it remains unclear whether he will attend the event in person.
According to the announcement, the memorial ceremony for the late Iranian leader will take place on July 23, from 5 pm to 7 pm. The notice described it as a memorial for the “martyred mujahid Imam”.
The announcement follows months of Mojtaba Khamenei remaining out of public view after succeeding his father as Supreme Leader following Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death.
Mojtaba’s absence in Khamenei’s funeral
Mojtaba Khamenei did not appear publicly earlier this month during his father’s funeral. Funeral prayers were instead led by three of his brothers.
Iranian state television showed Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud Khamenei standing beside the coffins at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, where thousands of mourners gathered.
The coffins of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and his 14-month-old granddaughter were placed together inside the sprawling religious complex for the funeral prayers.
Iranian authorities have not confirmed whether Mojtaba Khamenei will attend his father’s memorial ceremony on Tuesday, July 23. The announcement of the ceremony has raised the possibility of his first public appearance since assuming the role of Supreme Leader.
About the Author
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen…Read More
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