Middle East Crisis Situation in Iran

Hidden Iranian General Caught in Photo at Ayatollah's Coffin

One of the most senior generals in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ahmad Vahidi, has been caught in a photo during preparations for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral, writes Politico.

Vahidi is otherwise in hiding but is seen at Khamenei's coffin in a photo published in state media. He is described as a key figure behind Iran's hard line during negotiations on a possible peace agreement with the United States. He is also believed to be one of the few who is in direct contact with the new Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who is also in hiding.

Mohammad Fazlhashemi, a professor and expert on political Islam, does not believe that he would show up at his father's funeral.

There is a clear threat against him. But things can happen. We can only wait and see, he tells TT.

Religious leaders mourn Ali Khamenei's body

Next week, the state funeral for Iran's former supreme leader Ali Khamenei will be held for several days. His body has now been taken to a religious center in the capital Tehran, where religious leaders and other mourners will be able to visit his coffin, the Iranian state news agency Irna reports.

The ceremony is expected to begin on Saturday and continue until July 9. Representatives from Pakistan, China and Afghanistan, among others, will attend the funeral. In total, it is estimated that up to 20 million people will mourn Khamenei during the coming week.

Ali Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli attack on February 28 of this year. He was 86 years old.