As many Iranians feel betrayed by Trump, Big Brother's absence from his dad's funeral in Tehran leaves no doubt on who's really in charge

July 5, 2026

Source: CNN

A central question surrounding the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is whether his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, will appear to lead the prayers for his father. Mojtaba is believed to have sustained serious injuries, possibly even losing a limb, in an attack that also claimed the lives of his mother and wife. Since the war began, he has remained hidden, rarely showing his face or using his voice, choosing instead to communicate with his supporters through written statements. Yet, whether the big Brother is still alive or dead may hold little significance, as the real power in Iran lies with the ruthless apparatus of the Guardian Council and the Revolutionary Guard, despite the symbolic importance of the Supreme Leader's position to the public.

As CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reported from Tehran, large crowds gathered for a second day of funeral ceremonies for Ali Khamenei. These crowds are way larger than those that attended Trump’s 250th Independence Day celebrations, but they are not as large as the mullah establishment seeks to portray. The Revolutionary Guard is fully controlling the mourning events in an attempt to project unity among people and leadership while simultaneously calling for retaliation against the U.S. and Israel.

Back at the funeral, the proceedings have been marked by signs of defiance and calls for revenge, including personal threats against US President Donald Trump. 

Apathetic, Disillusioned and Betrayed

In the aftermath of Trump's failure to effect meaningful change in Iran, many Iranians now find themselves grappling with a sense of deprivation and apathy. Promises of reform and liberation seemed within reach, yet the reality has left them feeling disillusioned and betrayed. 

A 30-year-old Tehran resident expressed his frustration to CNN, saying that the grand spectacle surrounding the regime's events feels hollow. “It’s frustrating to see the city shut down for someone who has devastated lives,” he remarked, highlighting his growing indifference to the situation. “In the end, despite Khamenei’s death, nothing has truly changed. The hopes that were ignited seem lost.”

Arash Azizi, an expert on Iranian affairs, noted that the country, with its 90 million people, reflects a wide spectrum of views, particularly in response to the late supreme leader’s legacy. “While a vocal minority may still support him, many are divided and feel let down,” Azizi explained. “Khamenei’s nearly four-decade reign has left a complex and often painful legacy for many Iranians.”

Another resident, 35, chose to disregard the ongoing displays of mourning. “I don’t want to waste my time on this — instead, I’ll relax with friends and avoid getting caught up in the regime's theatrics,” he said, suggesting that the government's attempts to project unity and grief fall flat for those disenchanted by years of unfulfilled promises.

A part-time teacher in her 30s criticized the exaggerated claims of mourners echoed by the regime. “The numbers they throw around are absurd,” she stated, recalling her firsthand observations of the crowds. “Even in an ideal situation, they wouldn’t come close to a million. It’s disheartening to see the lavish spending on this charade while so many struggle.” 

The sentiment of betrayal looms heavily over Iran, as many citizens have come to terms with the reality that the promised change remains elusive, resulting in a pervasive sense of apathy.

Surviving in the mountains of rubble

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the ceasefire remains unfulfilled. As the US and Iran try to turn their truce into long-term peace, "Gaza’s deep blue, sea-tipped horizon has turned into a panorama of burned farmland, charred orchards and mountains of rubble." 

CNN has spoken to residents of the Gaza Strip who say they are living in the ashes of what they see as another impotent US-led deal. Last fall, Israel and Hamas signed a two-phase agreement after two years of bombing and siege in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. But since then the death toll in the territory has continued to climb.

Who has leverage over the other? Netanyahu visits Trump

Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Washington, D.C., and according to an Israeli source, the visit is programmed to further establish a new security agreement between Tel Aviv and Washington, particularly concerning Lebanon and Hezbollah. This meeting comes at a critical juncture for Israel, marked by both ongoing conflict and impending elections. It will be Netanyahu's seventh visit to the U.S. to meet Trump, making him the most frequently visiting world leader, but notably, it is his first since the U.S. and Israel initiated military actions against Iran in late February.

Since those initial strikes, significant rifts have surfaced between the two leaders as their strategies for navigating the Middle East diverge. Trump advocates for a diplomatic approach toward Iran, while Netanyahu harbors longstanding doubts about Tehran’s intentions and is prepared to escalate military actions if necessary. Furthermore, Trump has constrained Israel's military operations in Lebanon, while Netanyahu faces domestic pressure to intensify assaults on Hezbollah. Simultaneously, the U.S. is urging Israel to push forward with a Gaza ceasefire plan, even as Israel continues its regular airstrikes on Gaza.

From Trump’s perspective, the U.S. maintains the upper hand in this dynamic. He recently remarked to Axios that Netanyahu “knows who the boss is.” However, Netanyahu aims to retain influence over this direction, particularly with the Israeli elections approaching in late October, where his coalition is currently trailing in the polls.

Initially, Trump was expected to play a significant role in Netanyahu’s re-election strategy, a prospect that remains uncertain as skepticism toward Trump grows among many Israelis, particularly in light of the ceasefire negotiations with Iran.

Despite these challenges, both leaders have aligned goals, such as the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia through the Abraham Accords—a pivotal shift in the Middle Eastern landscape. However, the Saudis have insisted that this cannot occur without a viable proposal for a Palestinian state, which Netanyahu has firmly rejected.

Who runs Iran — and how does it work?

Following the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran’s monarchy was swept away and birthed a state that is part theocracy, part republic, with a handful of semi-democratic institutions swaddled by a system that is ultimately clerical and very conservative.

Here’s a look at how power operates in the country, according to CNN:

• Supreme leader: Atop Iran’s power structure is the supreme leader — a position currently filled by the absent Mojtaba Khamenei whose whereabouts remain as secret as Carmen Sandiago's. Mojtaba is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and has authority over the national police and morality police. He also appoints half of the 12 members of the Guardian Council; Iran’s parliament selects the other half.
• Guardian Council: This 12-jurist body oversees the activities of Iran’s parliament, determining if laws passed are compatible with sharia and can demand that legislation be revised. The council also approves candidates for parliament, the presidency, and the Assembly of Experts – meaning it can block certain candidates from running for public office.
• Assembly of Experts: This body of 88 jurists, directly elected by the public from a list of candidates vetted by the Guardian Council, is tasked with checking the authority of the supreme leader. But it is not clear how the assembly exercises its power: it only meets for one week a year; its meetings are secret; and it is not known to have ever challenged a supreme leader’s decisions.
• President: The head of the elected government is directly answerable to the supreme leader. Eligible for a maximum of two four-year terms, the president implements policies within the framework set out by the supreme leader and spearheads Iran’s diplomacy.
• Parliament: With 290 members, also elected to four-year terms, the parliament drafts legislation, ratifies treaties and approves the budget. Its sessions are open to the public, and its deliberations are broadcast.
• Security services: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is an elite military unit tasked with defending the regime, comprising between 150,000 and 190,000 troops, and has an army, navy, air force and intelligence wing. The Basij – a volunteer branch of the IRGC – is responsible for enforcing Islamic morality among the public. This is the real ruler of Iran.