Three of the late Iranian leader Ali Khamenei's sons performed the funeral prayers for him and four other family members in Tehran on Sunday. However, his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, was absent.

Footage broadcast by official media showed Masoud, Meysam, and Mostafa Khamenei attending the collective funeral prayers, marking their first public appearance since the outbreak of the war against Iran.

By contrast, the new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, did not appear at his father's funeral in Tehran for the second consecutive day. Mojtaba has not been seen in public since he was severely injured in the joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28.

Among the four brothers, Masoud and Mostafa are primarily devoted to religious studies in the city of Qom and hold only limited political roles within their father's office. Mojtaba and Meysam, however, are more actively involved in the inner workings of governance, according to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

مقطع فيديو يظهر فيه مصطفى وميثم ومسعود، أبناء علي خامنئي الثلاثة، وهم يشاركون في مراسم تشييع والدهم أُقيمت في مصلى طهران، فيما لا يظهر المرشد الجديد مجتبى خامنئي في الفيديو. pic.twitter.com/drZwIhYpxI

— إيران إنترناشيونال-عربي (@IranIntl_Ar) July 5, 2026

The institute notes that, beginning in 1988, Mojtaba and Meysam both served in the armed forces for two years. After completing his military service, Mojtaba began his religious studies, first in Tehran and later, from 1999 onward, at the seminaries of Qom.

What Do We Know About Them?

Mostafa Khamenei, the eldest son:

Born on February 5, 1965, in the city of Mashhad, Mostafa's activities extend beyond religious studies in Qom. Reports indicate that he is a prominent real estate investor in Tehran and controls shares in the sale of foreign cars in the Iranian market.

Masoud Khamenei, the third son:

Born in 1974, Masoud is also known as "Seyed Mohsen Khamenei." He manages the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Supreme Leader's Works, the agency responsible for organizing and documenting Ali Khamenei's speeches and writings.

Meysam Khamenei, the youngest son:

Born in 1978, Meysam is the least publicly visible of the brothers. He teaches at a theological seminary and takes part in the activities of several leadership institutions. He also works in Tehran at the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Supreme Leader's Works.