Iran Unveils Ali Khamenei's Coffin as IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi Appears Publicly

Months after the killing of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the opening strike of the 'Roar of the Lion' operation, his coffin was displayed in Tehran on Friday ahead of a multi-day state funeral. The funeral procession will travel through several cities in Iran and Iraq, concluding on July 9 in Mashhad, northeastern Iran. The ceremony is expected to draw millions, including foreign dignitaries such as Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and official representatives from Russia, China, and India.

The coffin was presented near Khamenei's former residence with the presence of Ahmad Vahidi, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), marking his first public appearance since the war began. Various state and proxy representatives, including Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades and Yemen's Houthis, paid respects. Iranian state media highlighted Vahidi's attendance, signaling his growing influence in shaping Iran's hardline stance in ongoing negotiations with the U.S.

Vahidi has remained out of public view since February 8, weeks before the war started, making this appearance a significant demonstration of regime unity. The funeral preparations include heavy police deployment in Tehran, with special tents set up to accommodate over 25,000 people each and water stations along the procession routes to combat the expected heat.

A key question remains whether Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader and Ali Khamenei's son, will attend. Since his appointment, Mojtaba has avoided public appearances, communicating only through written statements and notably refraining from personal involvement in discussions about a permanent peace agreement with the U.S. The funeral is seen as both a tribute and a show of strength following nearly 40 days of conflict that resulted in the deaths of many regime officials.