Mashhad: The body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's former Supreme Leader, has been laid to rest at the Imam Reza Shrine, the most sacred site in Mashhad. His burial was marked by an extensive gathering of mourners, following his death in a U.S. and Israeli attack on February 28. His successor and son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has remained out of the public eye since the conflict began.

According to Thai News Agency, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in any public settings due to severe injuries he sustained in the same airstrike that killed his father. Tehran sources suggest he is recuperating, and his limited public appearances are part of a strategy by security agencies to avoid provoking further U.S. attacks.

The funeral comes as tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified, breaking a three-week ceasefire. Iran's military has retaliated against U.S. military infrastructure in the Gulf, following American strikes on its coastal provinces, leading to significant explosions in the region, including in Bushehr, known for its nuclear plant. The U.S. remains committed to resolving the conflict through negotiations.

The prolonged conflict, now over four months long, is increasing pressure on U.S. President Donald Trump as the Republican Party approaches midterm elections. Rising oil prices have compounded voter dissatisfaction, although prices have slightly eased since initial spikes over supply disruption fears.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy has highlighted U.S. attacks and interference in the Strait of Hormuz as a major barrier to reopening this critical waterway. Commercial shipping through the strait has halved, with Iran dictating passage routes. The IRGC has warned of severe repercussions for any further U.S. interference.

In contrast, the U.S. military asserts that recent airstrikes were necessary to maintain open shipping lanes after Iran's attacks on oil tankers. Since early May, the U.S. has facilitated the transit of over 800 commercial vessels and more than 380 million barrels of crude oil through the strait, emphasizing that Iran does not have exclusive control over the Strait of Hormuz.