Influential Iranian General Ahmad Vahidi unexpectedly emerged from the shadows amid the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The general had not appeared in public since February 8, several weeks before the start of the war in Iran. This is reported by UNN citing Associated Press.
Details
Photographs published by Iranian state media showed General Ahmad Vahidi at a meeting on Thursday dedicated to Khamenei's funeral, and then sitting next to his coffin during a small farewell ceremony organized by the Iranian theocracy on Thursday evening near the former residence of the Supreme Leader in central Tehran.
"They must know that the pure blood of our martyr imam will become another turning point in the victories of beloved Islam on the world stage," Vahidi told state television in comments broadcast on Friday. "They will take to the grave the desire to see this nation surrender. This nation will rise higher and higher day by day thanks to this pure blood."
According to the publication, Vahidi, experts say, has become a key player in shaping Iran's tough stance in negotiations on a possible final end to the war with the United States. He had not been seen in public since February 8, several weeks before the start of the war in Iran.
It is also noted that Vahidi is believed to be part of a narrow circle of individuals who have direct contact with Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. The latter, according to AP News, has been forced into hiding after being wounded on February 28 as a result of Israeli airstrikes that killed his father.
As the publication indicates, it remains unclear whether Khamenei will appear at his father's funeral.
Context
Ali Khamenei was killed as a result of the first American-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. He was 86 years old.
His son Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded him as Supreme Leader, but since his appointment he has hardly appeared in public, limiting himself to statements read on Iranian state television or on social media.
Recall
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Tehran has agreed to almost all of Washington's key demands.