President Masoud Pezeshkian returned urgently to Iran from Iraq early Wednesday morning, according to reports. He had been in Iraq to accompany the coffin of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as part of funeral ceremonies. The reasons for the urgent return are not yet known.
Early Wednesday, President Masoud Pezeshkian returned urgently to Iran from Iraq, cutting short his stay after accompanying the coffin of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to reports. The Zioneer had reported at 21:15 Tuesday that Pezeshkian's plane had entered Iranian airspace, and earlier that he had departed Najaf abruptly. The reason for the urgency remains unknown.
At 21:15 Tuesday, The Zioneer reported that Pezeshkian and IRGC Quds Force Commander Ismail Qaani had landed in Najaf, Iraq. Minutes later, citing unofficial Iranian channels via Israeli journalist Yair Goldblatt, the desk reported that Pezeshkian was leaving Iraq. A subsequent report said he was returning to Tehran from Najaf, and a fourth version confirmed his plane had entered Iranian airspace. The corroboration evolved from a single channel to consistent tracking of the flight.
The Zioneer has previously reported on Pezeshkian's diplomatic activity around the Khamenei funeral: on June 24, he invited Indian Prime Minister Modi for an extended visit including the ceremonies; on July 3, foreign delegations including the presidents of Tajikistan and Armenia arrived in Tehran. Pezeshkian's visit to Najaf, initially reported without a stated purpose, is now confirmed as participation in the funeral procession.
What remains open: no official Iranian source has explained why Pezeshkian's return to Iran was described as urgent. The condition of the Supreme Leader's body, the security situation, or internal political considerations have not been addressed by authorities.
5 developments
- StrongReport: Iranian plane believed to be carrying President Pezeshkian departs Tehran
- StrongIranian President Pezeshkian meets Pakistan's PM Sharif in Islamabad
- DevelopingNew York Times: Iran's Pezeshkian threatens to resign if US-Iran deal fails
- DevelopingIranian President Pezeshkian denies threatening to resign, says claim aimed at harming his standing
Source and signal
- Internal intake