Iran military leadership attendees at Rasfanjani's funeral

Iran media imagery of Iran's military leadership attending the laying to rest of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on 10JAN2017:

Left to right:

- IRI Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehghan

- IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari

- Chairman of AFGS Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri

Center: IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani

Artesh Commander Maj. Gen. Ataollah Salehi (in uniform)

Maj. Gen. Hassan Firouzabadi (Ret), former Chairman of the AFGS

IRGC Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, Special Advisor to Supreme Leader

IRGCN Commander Commodore Ali Fadavi (uniformed)

Commander of Tehran Police Force Brig. Gen. Hossein Sajedinia

Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) and Saraya Ashura militia commander

COMMENT: Interesting to see Iran's military leadership attending the laying to rest of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, given the political backdrop following the 2009 election and Rasfanjani falling out of favor with establishment elements of the political right. However, projections of political unity are a key theme for this country that considers itself under constant national security threat.

Remarkable to see ISCI leader Ammar al-Hakim in attendance, given the history of the Iran-Iraq War and Rasfanjani's record as high ranking Iranian commander during that period. Iranian and Iraqi relations have never been so close in the modern period, since Operation Iraqi Freedom forcefully effected regime change.

Photos: 
- Taha Jalilzade and Armin Karami at Tasnim News Agency
- Leader.ir