Iranian media report the regime has completed preparations for the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as the president called for masses to attend and warned Israel and the US against any attack. Images from Reuters show IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi at the funeral site, placing his hand on the coffin in his first public appearance since the start of Operation Roaring Lion in February.
IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi was seen placing his hand on the coffin of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the funeral complex in Tehran on Friday, according to images published by Reuters, marking his first public appearance since the start of Operation Roaring Lion in February. The images confirm Vahidi's continued presence in the open after months underground, as Iran completed all preparations for the funeral and issued a warning to Israel and the US against any attack during the ceremonies. The funeral procession began earlier Friday morning, with millions expected to attend, as The Zioneer reported at 07:44 Jerusalem.
Vahidi's emergence unfolded over the course of Thursday, Jul 2. The Zioneer first reported that he had left his bunker for a senior meeting on funeral preparations, attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Later reports indicated he appeared publicly for the first time and was quoted saying 'the job is not finished.' By Thursday afternoon, The Zioneer reported that he had made a second public appearance at the funeral itself, and separately that he had appeared openly after months in hiding. The thread documented a progressive return to visibility, from an initial meeting to full attendance at the funeral complex.
As The Zioneer reported on Tuesday, Jun 30, images revealed the scale of the funeral platform at the Musalla complex, and on Wednesday, Jul 1, Tehran completed preparations for the massive funeral. The regime's warning to Israel and the US, issued by the president on Friday, reflects the heightened security atmosphere surrounding the event, which has drawn foreign delegations and a week of official mourning.
It remains unclear whether Vahidi's public appearances signal a permanent shift in the IRGC's security posture or a temporary adjustment for the funeral period. The regime's warning to Israel and the US has not been followed by any specific military alert, and the potential for disruption during the ceremonies remains unverified.
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