Iranian media broadcast images of Vahidi beside Khamenei’s casket in Tehran, where he placed his hand on the coffin and took part in funeral prayers.

  The semi-official agency ISNA quoted the commander as stating that Iran would not stray from the path of its “martyred leader,” whose presence, he said, would remain in the country’s memory.

  Vahidi had stayed away from public events since assuming command of the Revolutionary Guard in early March, following the death of Mohammad Pakpour during the war launched in late February by Israel and the US.

  Prior to holding that post, Vahidi served as deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guard and built an extensive career within the Iranian military and security apparatus—including heading the Quds Force—as well as serving as Minister of Defense and Minister of the Interior.

  Official funeral ceremonies for Khamenei began in Tehran as part of a multi-day procession leading up to his burial in the northeastern city of Mashhad.

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