IRGC commander Vahidi makes first appearance since war began, attends meeting on Khamenei funeral with Iran's president and speaker

For the first time since his appointment at the start of the war, IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi appeared at a meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and other senior officials, according to a Telegram post. The meeting focused on preparations for the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

A Telegram post from Thursday evening reports that IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi, appointed at the start of the war, made his first public appearance at a meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and other senior officials to discuss preparations for the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The thread began at 15:04 Jerusalem when The Zioneer reported Vahidi's first public appearance since February, attending a ceremony to organize the funeral. By 15:42, a subsequent article specified that he met with the president and speaker. At 17:23, a bulletin quoted Vahidi saying 'the job is not finished' during his first appearance since Operation Roaring Lion, the joint US-Israel strike in February. The new report frames the meeting as his first since his appointment at the start of the war, with a specific focus on funeral preparations.

As The Zioneer reported on Wednesday, Tehran completed preparations for the funeral, with burial set for Mashhad on July 9. In recent days, IRGC leadership has emerged from bunkers for coordination; on Thursday at 17:09, the IRGC commander left his bunker for a senior meeting ahead of the funeral, accompanied by the IRGC Navy commander, the Khatam al-Anbiya spokesman, and others.

The report is based on a desk-reviewed report and has not been independently verified. Details of the funeral's timing and itinerary remain subject to conflicting reports, including earlier accounts that varied the start of the procession.

4 developments

1. 2 hours ago · 18:23 · 2 JulLatest

   Vahidi met with President Pezeshkian and Speaker Ghalibaf for funeral preparations.

2. 17:23 · 2 Jul

   Vahidi quoted during appearance stating 'the job is not finished.'

3. 15:42 · 2 Jul

   Vahidi met with Iran's president, parliament speaker, and other senior officials

• Strong3 hours ago · 17:09 · 2 JulIRGC Commander Leaves Bunker for Senior Meeting Ahead of Khamenei Funeral, First Time Since Operation Roaring Lion
• Strong22:10 · 22 JunIRGC chief of staff says Khamenei burial site being prepared at Khomeini mausoleum
• Developing11:04 · 24 JunIran president invites Indian PM Modi to extended visit including Khamenei funeral events
• Developing17:48 · 12 JunSource: Iran deal reached at foreign minister level, IRGC commander seeks Khamenei's final approval

Source and signal

• Internal intake