After months of silence, Vahidi appeared at Khamenei's funeral
Influential Iranian General Ahmad Vahidi made his first public appearance in several months. He was spotted during a memorial service for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in late February as a result of U.S.-Israeli strikes.
According to the Associated Press, Vahidi is considered one of the key figures influencing the Iranian leadership’s decisions regarding the war and negotiations with the U.S. He had not been seen in public since February 8.
Ahmad Vahidi’s appearance at the funeral ceremony drew the attention of not only Iranian but also international media. The general had not made any public statements or appeared at official events for quite some time. He was last seen on February 8—a few weeks before the war began. Photos published by Iran’s state media show Vahidi during events marking the funeral of Ali Khamenei. First, he took part in a meeting related to the farewell ceremony, and later sat next to the Supreme Leader’s coffin during a memorial service near his former residence in central Tehran.
Speaking to state television, the general made a strong statement. “They must know that the pure blood of our martyred Imam will mark yet another turning point in the victories of our beloved Islam on the world stage,” Vahidi said.
He also added: “They will take to the grave their desire to see this nation capitulate. This nation will rise higher and higher day by day thanks to this pure blood.”
According to the Associated Press, Ahmad Vahidi is currently among the most influential figures in Iran’s military and political leadership. Experts believe that he is actively involved in shaping Tehran’s hardline stance during negotiations on a possible end to the war with the United States. In addition, journalists note that the general is part of a small circle of people who have direct access to Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Mojtaba Khamenei himself has made almost no public appearances since his appointment. According to the AP, he was wounded during Israeli airstrikes on February 28, when his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed. As a result, the new Supreme Leader, according to the agency, is currently in hiding. It is not yet known whether he will personally attend his father’s funeral.
As a reminder, Ali Khamenei died on February 28 as a result of the first joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory. He was 86 years old. Following his death, his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, assumed the position of Supreme Leader. Since then, he has rarely appeared in public. Most of his statements are broadcast on state television or posted on official social media accounts.
Ahmad Vahidi’s appearance at the funeral ceremony marked his first public appearance in several months and, according to observers, may indicate his growing role in Iran’s new leadership. At the same time, officials in Tehran have not commented on possible personnel changes or the general’s authority following the change in the Supreme Leader. This was reported by the Associated Press.
At the start of the war against Iran, the U.S. and Israel reportedly viewed the country’s former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as a potential leader for regime change from within.
