Iran is mourning the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as millions gather for funeral ceremonies in Tehran. The country's leadership transition is now under intense scrutiny, with questions emerging over who could shape Iran's future political direction. As the mortal remains are set to be taken to Qom, the developments are drawing attention across the Middle East and beyond. This episode of Race To Power examines the funeral, the symbolism on display, and the potential implications for Iran's political landscape and regional influence.

Iran bids farewell to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, mortal remains will be taken to Qom

Over four months after Iran's supreme leader, late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was assassinated in a combined attack by the US and Israeli forces, his funeral will begin ‌in ⁠Tehran ⁠on July 4 and conclude with ​his burial in the ​northeastern city of Mashhad ⁠on July ⁠9, reported ⁠state media


Khamenei funeral: World leaders, clerics arrive for Khamenei's last rites

The Israeli military said it launched a wave of strikes on Lebanon's capital Beirut targeting Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah early Saturday, after calling on residents of several areas to evacuate.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Hezbollah Targets Israeli Troops in Six Villages in Southern Lebanon 

The US has placed a $10 million bounty on Mojtaba Khamenei and several other senior Iranian figures, accusing them of directing activities linked to the IRGC. Who are the leaders on Washington’s most-wanted list and why are they being targeted? Scroll down to find out.

US puts $10M bounty on Mojtaba Khamenei, IRGC top leaders it claims ‘plan, organise and execute terror worldwide’. Who are they?

'Island for corruption': Khamenei’s X account targets Trump with ‘Epstein Island’ jibe as Iran’s war narrative intensifies

Like father, like son? Israel targets Mojtaba Khamenei in new post as tensions escalate in West Asia

The war between the United States, Israel and Iran has entered a dangerous new phase after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint strike during the ongoing conflict. Iran’s clerical leadership has now appointed his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the country’s new Supreme Leader a move seen as defying pressure from Washington and Tel Aviv. The appointment signals that Iran’s ruling establishment remains firmly in control despite the strikes that targeted its top leadership. Analysts say Mojtaba Khamenei is closely linked to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and is expected to continue his father’s hardline policies by some. Meanwhile, the wider regional war continues to intensify, with missile strikes, retaliatory attacks and rising tensions across West Asia.


War After Khamenei: Mojtaba Khamenei Takes Power as US–Israel War With Iran Escalates

Zahra Haddad-Adel was killed along with Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei almost nine days ago when the US and Israel jointly launched an attack on Iran. She was the wife of Mojtaba Khamenei, newly elected supreme leader of Iran. Know more about her family & kids.

Who Was Zahra Haddad-Adel? Mojtaba Khamenei’s wife killed in US-Israel strike on Iran: Know more about family, kids

Unit 8200 used years of cyber surveillance to track Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hacked networks helped the 2,000 km range Blue Sparrow missile bypass his deep Tehran bunker in a fatal daylight strike.

'The cyber connection': How Unit 8200 helped the Blue Sparrow missile find Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Why did Ali Khamenei's X account post a cryptic missile message amid the US-Israel war with Iran? His account warned that “Khorramshahr moments are on the horizon,” referencing one of Iran’s powerful ballistic missiles.

What exactly does this mean? Scroll down to read more.

'Khorramshahr moments on the horizon': Dead Supreme Leader Khamenei’s account issues cryptic warning

'Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me': Trump calls for role in Iran's leader selection

After Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in US-Israeli strikes, Iran invokes its Mosaic Defence doctrine, raising fears over oil routes, GCC security and global markets.

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The Israeli military said it was striking targets in central Tehran after clearing the path to the capital Saturday. Earlier, Iran fired missiles at targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states after vowing massive retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States and Israel.


Iran-Israel War: Explosions Rocks Northeastern Tehran

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei? Reports say Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei, has been chosen to succeed him as Iran’s next supreme leader. What do we know about the cleric and the controversy around a possible dynastic shift? 

Scroll down to read more.

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei? Iran elects new Supreme Leader to replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Report

Exiled Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof has broken his silence following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivering a scathing critique of what he described as a legacy built on “fake holiness” and repression.


Mohammad Rasoulof Slams Khamenei's Legacy of Fake Holiness

The death of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint air strike by Israel and United Nations was announced by the the state-run IRNA news on Sunday.

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A look at Hamas, Hezbollah and Iranian leaders killed by Israel in recent years, including Yahya Sinwar, Hassan Nasrallah and other key figures.

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The army chief Gen. Abdol Rahim Mousavi was among 30 key Iranian regime leaders and military chiefs targeted in the strike carried out by US and Israel.

Who is Abdol Rahim Mousavi, Iran's chief of army staff killed in Israeli attack?

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in power since 1989, has been killed in a strike, marking a historic turning point. A key figure since the 1979 Revolution, his death triggers succession plans, 40 days of mourning, and uncertainty over Iran’s political future.

Saturday curse for Khamenei: Survived assassination attempt in 1981 but killed on another ill-fated Saturday in 2026 - Here's a look at his life

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warns the US and Israel of “devastating blows” after Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in strikes.

Iran speaker warns US, Israel of 'devastating blows' after Khamenei killed in strikes

According to IRGC, the vessel was MST-class combat support ship carrying fuel for American vessels in the Indian Ocean.

Iran claims to destroy US ship carrying ammunition in Indian Ocean amid another warning by Trump

Why did Israel rename its latest Iran operation “Lion’s Roar”? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally chose the title, replacing the IDF’s internal name.

What’s the symbolism and how does it link to past strikes? Scroll down to read more.

Israel’s new Iran campaign gets dramatic codename ‘Lion’s Roar’; Here's why Netanyahu chose the name personally

Where is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei? Iran supreme leader missing after Israel strikes target near his headquarters

As tensions rise between Washington and Tehran, reports say President Donald Trump is weighing options that go beyond diplomacy, including a scenario involving the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba. Here's all we know.

Did Trump order Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination? Here's what new report suggests