Senior IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi appeared in public for the first time since the joint US-Israel strike Operation Roaring Lion, according to a Telegram post. Vahidi was quoted saying 'the job is not finished.' The appearance follows earlier reports Thursday that Vahidi left his bunker for a senior leadership meeting ahead of the late Supreme Leader Khamenei's funeral.
Senior IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi appeared in public for the first time since the February 2026 joint US-Israel operation known as Operation Roaring Lion, a Telegram post circulated Thursday evening (Jul 2) said. Vahidi was quoted saying 'the job is not finished,' without elaboration.
The appearance builds on a series of reported movements by Iranian military leadership seen in recent days. As The Zioneer reported earlier Thursday (17:09 Jerusalem), Vahidi had left his bunker to attend a high-level IRGC leadership meeting ahead of the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. That earlier report also noted the IRGC Navy commander, the spokesman for Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, and dozens of other senior officials had emerged from bunkers for the coordination meeting. Earlier in the day (15:04 Jerusalem), The Zioneer reported that Vahidi had already made his first public appearance since February, meeting with Iran's president, parliament speaker, and other officials — though today's later Telegram post is the first time he has been directly quoted.
Vahidi's renewed public visibility follows a period of over four months largely underground after the Roaring Lion strikes, which targeted IRGC command-and-control infrastructure. The emergence of senior leadership coincides with reported changes to the IRGC's forward headquarters command (as The Zioneer reported on Sun Jun 14, 2026) and the placing of missile units on operational readiness (as reported on Thu Jun 11). The Zioneer has also reported the IRGC warning it may shift to an offensive posture to lift the naval blockade (Wed Jun 10), amid back-to-back public appearances by senior Iranian security official Zolqadr (Fri Jun 26).
The Telegram post was not verified by official Iranian state media as of publication, and the precise location and context of Vahidi's appearance remain unconfirmed. It is also unclear whether the quote 'the job is not finished' refers to ongoing military operations or a broader political agenda.
4 developments
- StrongIRGC Commander Leaves Bunker for Senior Meeting Ahead of Khamenei Funeral, First Time Since Operation Roaring Lion
- StrongIRGC chief of staff says Khamenei burial site being prepared at Khomeini mausoleum
- DevelopingIran president invites Indian PM Modi to extended visit including Khamenei funeral events
- DevelopingSource: Iran deal reached at foreign minister level, IRGC commander seeks Khamenei's final approval
Source and signal
- Internal intake