Khamenei skips annual air force meeting for first time in 37 years
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei did not attend the annual February 8 meeting with army air force commanders, breaking a 37-year precedent since assuming leadership.
Instead, chief of staff of the armed forces Abdolrahim Mousavi met with the army air force commanders on Sunday.
The annual meeting marks the anniversary of February 8, 1979, when a group of air force officers pledged allegiance to Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic and Khamenei’s predecessor as Supreme Leader. The encounter became a symbolic event, and air force personnel and commanders have met Iran’s leader on the same date each year since.
Khamenei has observed the tradition annually since becoming Supreme Leader in 1989. He had previously maintained the annual meeting even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
His absence comes as tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated, with the US expanding its military presence in the region.
