Powerful IRGC commander emerges from hiding ahead of Ayatollah Khamenei's state funeral in Tehran
SCN News Desk
A senior commander of Iran's paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ahmad Vahidi, has reappeared in public after months out of sight as Tehran finalizes preparations for the dayslong state funeral of the late Ali Khamenei.
Iranian state media published photographs showing Vahidi attending funeral planning meetings and later sitting beside Khamenei's casket during a private mourning ceremony in Tehran. His appearance marked his first public sighting since before the outbreak of the recent conflict, fueling renewed attention to Iran's military leadership during a sensitive political transition.
Iran is set to begin several days of funeral ceremonies on Saturday, with public processions planned in Tehran before continuing in the holy cities of Qom, Mashhad and locations in neighboring Iraq. Authorities are expected to deploy extensive security measures and mobilize large crowds for what could become one of the largest state funerals in the Islamic Republic's history.
According to analysts, Vahidi has become an influential figure in shaping Iran's security policy and its negotiating position following the war. His return comes as the country's new leadership seeks to project stability while navigating heightened regional tensions and concerns over possible renewed hostilities.
Iranian officials have also warned the United States and Israel against any military action during the mourning period, saying any attack would trigger a forceful response. Security has been tightened around funeral venues as millions of mourners are expected to participate in ceremonies honoring Khamenei, who led Iran for more than three decades.