Qalibaf’s patience broke as soon as Khamenei’s mortal remains arrived, Speaker Qalibaf cried bitterly after seeing his 40-year-old colleague; the Speaker wept inconsolably upon seeing his associate of 40 years.

As soon as the mortal remains of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were brought to the public for the last darshan, the entire atmosphere became sad. This emotional scene has shocked not only Iran but the entire world. Speaker of Iran’s parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who has been one of Khamenei’s most trusted and close aides for decades, could not hold back tears. Qalibaf’s helplessness and his bitter cry at the sight of the coffin has become a symbol of the end of a 40-year long unbroken togetherness.

Unbreakable bond of four decades and final farewell

The relationship between Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Ayatollah Khamenei has been not only political, but deeply personal and ideological. Qalibaf has worked under Khamenei’s guidance from his youth to the top echelons of politics. When the coffin was placed on the stage, Qalibaf broke down completely. His tears reflected not only the pain of losing a leader, but also memories of the period in which he, along with Khamenei, shaped Iran’s Islamic revolution and military strategies. This departure is also a shock for all those old comrades who have worked on Khamenei’s vision for decades.

Qalibaf’s mourning and the changing picture of Iran

Qalibaf crying publicly is a sign of a major emotional change in Iranian politics. While on one hand the fundamentalist factions of Iran are talking about setting the country in the fire of ‘revenge’, on the other hand the grief of leaders like Qalibaf shows that after the departure of Khamenei, a deep void has been created in the corridors of power of Iran. Analysts believe that this reaction of Qalibaf reflects the deep respect and connection of the general public and military leadership towards Khamenei within Iran. This scene also tells the world that Khamenei was not only a supreme leader but also a guardian to those who stood shoulder to shoulder with him for a long time.

Crowd gathered at the funeral

The crowd of millions gathered on the streets of Tehran and this lamentation of Qalibaf, presents a big picture of Iran’s current troubled times. Iran’s top military officers and political luminaries, gathered around Khamenei’s coffin, are now looking towards a future that is full of uncertainties. This helplessness of Qalibaf is a reflection of the feelings of millions of people who are witnessing the end of an era. Now all eyes are on whether Khamenei’s successor will be able to take Iran out of these challenging circumstances by taking loyal allies like Qalibaf into confidence, or will the country’s internal strife deepen further.