Flashback: Ahmadinejad Kneels Beneath His Transport Minister’s Casket in Rare Show of Reverence

According to Saed News, a striking image from the funeral of Hamid Behbahani—who served as Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad—shows the former president kneeling directly beneath the minister’s casket. The photograph, originally taken during the official mourning ceremony in Tehran, has reemerged on social media, drawing renewed attention to Ahmadinejad’s personal bond with his one-time cabinet colleague.

Behbahani, appointed to oversee Iran’s transport infrastructure in 2005, was remembered for championing major highway and rail projects before departing office in 2008. His sudden passing prompted an outpouring of respect across political lines. In the photograph, Ahmadinejad is flanked by senior clerics and former officials, yet his solitary gesture—bowed head and hands clasped beneath the coffin—stands out as a deeply human act amid formal ritual.

Analysts note that such public displays of deference are rare for a leader often associated with staunch populism and political polarisation. “This moment underscores the personal loyalties that underpin Iran’s executive circles,” says political commentator Leyla Masoudi. The image has since sparked debate among observers: some view it as an indication of enduring loyalty, while others interpret it as a calculated act to evoke sympathy ahead of Ahmadinejad’s own return to public life.

Regardless of motive, the photograph offers a window into the complex interplay of personal allegiance and political theatre that characterises Iran’s contemporary leadership—reminding onlookers that, even in high office, private bonds can leave an indelible mark on the public stage.