Since Tuesday, May 21, tens of thousands of Iranians have gathered to pay tribute to their former president, Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter accident last Sunday in the north-west of Iran. Seven other individuals, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, also perished in the crash. The Iranian authorities declared a five-day national mourning, and Wednesday was proclaimed a public holiday, urging the residents of Tehran to attend Raisi's funeral. The highest abstention rate in the history of the Islamic Republic was witnessed during his election in June 2021.
The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led the prayers during the farewell ceremony held at the University of Tehran. Notable international figures, such as Ismaïl Haniyeh from Hamas and a representative from Lebanese Hezbollah, attended the funeral. Despite the presence of some allied nations like Iraq, Turkey, and Russia, none were represented at the level of heads of state.
The funeral proceedings for Ebrahim Raisi, who was often referred to as 'the Butcher,' began in Tabriz, near the crash site and continued to Qom, attracting huge crowds. In tribute, many portraits of Raisi adorned public spaces across major Iranian cities. He is scheduled to be buried in his birthplace of Mashhad on Thursday, May 23. Interim President Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed to prepare for the forthcoming presidential election slated for June 28.
The sudden death of Raisi has stirred speculations, with some attributing it to a covert operation by Mossad. This suspicion finds an echo in
- Regarding the speculation that the Mossad might be behind Raisi's death, Danny Sirkin, director of the series 'Tehran,' commented on the potential ramifications of such an event within the context of his show. Drawing parallels to the real-life Mossad operations portrayed in the series, Sirkin suggested that an execution, if carried out, would be a significant achievement for the Iranian people who suffered under Raisi's rule.
- The current geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel resonate deeply within the storyline of 'Tehran,' reflecting a beleaguered yet persistent reality. Production on the upcoming seasons has been impacted significantly, with sensitive release timings being reconsidered in light of ongoing events. The series, heralded for its realism, presents a complex narrative intertwined with actual diplomatic and military instabilities.
