Ahmadinejad Reappears After Being Rumored Dead at Khamenei’s Funeral

In his first public appearance since the outbreak of the war, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was seen among the mourners attending the funeral ceremonies in Tehran.

Since the conflict began on February 28, during which numerous senior Iranian political and military figures were killed, Ahmadinejad had not appeared in public. No official confirmation or denial regarding his fate was issued, while conflicting reports claiming he had been killed fueled widespread uncertainty during the early days of the American and Israeli strikes.

On Monday, however, he was seen publicly for the first time since the war began, walking among the mourners while wearing a jacket and a face mask pulled down around his neck.

Iranian state media published a photograph showing Ahmadinejad accompanied by his personal security guards among the crowds attending the funeral procession in one of Tehran’s streets.

About two months ago, The New York Times reported that Ahmadinejad was among the figures allegedly considered by the United States and Israel to assume Iran’s presidency in the event of the regime’s collapse following a military operation.

The newspaper also reported, based on its investigation, that Ahmadinejad’s residence had been targeted on the first day of the airstrikes as part of an alleged regime-change plan intended to end the siege imposed around his home.

Ahmadinejad was widely known for his outspoken and confrontational statements against Israel during his presidency.

His reappearance came one day after the absence of Iran’s two other living former presidents, Mohammad Khatami and Hassan Rouhani, from the funeral ceremonies, with critics claiming that they had not been invited to attend.

Iran is now observing the fourth consecutive day of funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the first American-Israeli strike against Iran on February 28.

Today’s ceremonies are taking place in the city of Qom, home to the most prominent Shiite religious seminaries and numerous shrines and pilgrimage sites, following the farewell procession held in the capital, Tehran.

The funeral procession is scheduled to travel on Tuesday to the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala before returning to Iran, where Khamenei is expected to be buried on the ninth day of the month in his hometown of Mashhad, located in northeastern Iran.