Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, did not attend the country’s traditional February 8 meeting with army air force commanders this year, ending a 37-year precedent since he assumed leadership in 1989.
Instead, the meeting was led by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi on Sunday, marking a rare departure from the annual ritual.
Why Ayatollah Khamenei Skipping The Air Force Event Matters
The annual gathering commemorates February 8, 1979, when a group of air force officers pledged allegiance to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic and Khamenei’s predecessor. The event has since become a symbolic demonstration of loyalty between the Iranian air force leadership and the clerical establishment.
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Khamenei had consistently observed the tradition every year since becoming Supreme Leader, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, making his absence this year particularly notable.
The February 8 allegiance pledge was a crucial moment in the fall of the Pahlavi monarchy. Over the decades, the anniversary has evolved into a ritualistic affirmation of loyalty, with air force personnel and commanders traditionally meeting the Supreme Leader on the same date annually.
Where Is Ayatollah Khamenei? Supreme Leader Missing Amid Assassination Threats
Khamenei’s absence occurs amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington. The US has expanded its military presence in the region, intensifying pressure on Iran.
On February 7, US envoys Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper visited the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has warned of severe consequences if Iran does not negotiate with the US.
In a February 5 interview, Trump stated that Supreme Leader Khamenei should be “very worried.” He has also signed an executive order calling for the imposition of tariffs on countries continuing business with Iran despite US sanctions.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
