As funeral prayers took place before the coffin of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Sunday, many top officials and three of the ayatollah’s sons were present. Among the noticeably missing, however, were some former presidents at odds with the current regime.
Their absence cast doubt on Tehran’s “unity” mantra, which has dominated rhetoric throughout Khamenei’s week-long funeral proceedings. This messaging was intended to signal to the United States and Israel that military action has not – and will not – bring down the Islamic Republic or foment dissent against the regime, experts said.
Khamenei’s funeral events, culminating Thursday with his…