Gen. Ahmad Vahidi appeared publicly in Tehran for the first time since Feb. 8, joining funeral planning and a smaller service beside Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s casket.
Iranian state media showed Vahidi at a Thursday night mourning ceremony near Khamenei’s former home as Tehran prepared for funeral rites starting Saturday.
Vahidi has gained influence in shaping Iran’s hard line on a possible permanent end to the war with the United States and is seen as part of a small circle around new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Mojtaba Khamenei remains in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the Feb. 28 Israeli strikes that killed his father, while authorities plan to move the elder Khamenei’s body through cities in Iran and Iraq.
With Iran's new leader in hiding, who now controls its nuclear program and the fragile ceasefire?
Is Iran's shift from theocracy to military rule making it more vulnerable to a nationwide collapse?
How will the Iran war permanently reshape global supply chains for energy, food, and technology?
Iran in Turmoil: Supreme Leader Khamenei’s Death, IRGC Takeover, and the Battle for Succession
Overview
In July 2026, Iran’s political scene was transformed by the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following a US-Israeli attack. After months of uncertainty, Tehran began preparing for a massive, multi-day state funeral, shutting down streets and organizing ceremonies across several cities. The event marked the public return of General Ahmad Vahidi, signaling the rise of hardline military leadership. This carefully orchestrated farewell not only honored Khamenei but also showcased the growing power of the Revolutionary Guard, highlighting both the regime’s efforts to project unity and the underlying tensions over Iran’s future direction.