Iran's ‘Shadow General’ Ahmad Vahidi Resurfaces Ahead Of Khamenei's Funeral After Death Rumours

Last Updated:July 03, 2026, 18:00 IST

Iranian state media published photographs of Vahidi where he can be seen attending a funeral planning meeting on Thursday.

Senior Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander General Ahmad Vahidi, also known as Iran’s “shadow general", has reappeared in public in Tehran ahead of the state funeral for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking his first public appearance after weeks of speculation and online rumors claiming he had died.

Iranian state media published photographs of Vahidi where he can be seen attending a funeral planning meeting on Thursday and later paying his respects beside Khamenei’s casket during a private mourning ceremony.

The appearance marks Vahidi’s first public sighting since February 8, weeks before the Iran war began. His absence had fuelled speculation about his whereabouts during the conflict.

Who Is Ahmad Vahidi?

Vahidi is not new to Iran’s power structure. A long-time commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, he served as former head of the elite Quds Force as well as ex-defence and interior minister. But 2026 changed everything.

After a wave of US-Israeli strikes killed key Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Vahidi was elevated to head the IRGC and rapidly became the most influential figure in the system.

He has been linked to past international terror cases and is under sanctions. His deep involvement in Iran’s missile and security apparatus and strong ideological alignment with hardline factions makes him a bigger problem for the United States and the world.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Funeral

Iran is preparing to bid a final farewell to former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with a six-day funeral programme set to begin on July 4.

The funeral will start at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran, where authorities plan to shut streets and disrupt daily life as mourners mark the life of Khamenei, who led Iran for decades while confronting the West.

The public funeral ceremonies would be held in Tehran and Qom on July 5, 6, and 7. The burial will take place in the city of Mashhad on July 9.

Ahead of the ceremonies, Iranian state media reported that Khamenei’s coffin was taken to the site where he was killed during an unannounced event.

About the Author

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre...Read More

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