Iran commenced the funeral ceremonies for President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Tuesday, following their tragic deaths in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The ceremonies began in Tabriz, the capital of Eastern Azerbaijan, and will span several days as the bodies of the deceased are honored throughout the nation.
Thousands of mourners filled the streets of Tabriz to witness the processions, which included the coffins of Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian, and seven other victims of the crash. The parade started at Shohada Square and proceeded to the Great Mosala Mosque, with many attendees donning the traditional turbans of clerics and holding photos of Raisi. Shops, schools, and government offices in the city were closed in a show of respect.
The helicopter, a Bell 212 model acquired in the 1970s, went down due to a supposed ‘technical failure’ in the difficult weather conditions of the mountainous Varzeqan region. Search and rescue teams found the wreckage and remains only at dawn the next day. Among the dead were notable officials, including the governor of East Azerbaijan and the head of Raisi's security team.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning and named Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as the interim president, with elections scheduled for June 28th. Condolences have flooded in from various nations and organizations, including Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, both reaffirming the close ties and shared objectives with the late president's administration.
The funerary procession will see the bodies transported to several key cities, including the holy city of Qom and the national capital, Tehran, where Ayatollah Khamenei will lead a prayer ceremony. Foreign dignitaries are expected to attend a non-working day of mourning in Tehran. The journey will culminate in Mashhad, Raisi’s hometown, on Thursday evening, where he will be laid to rest.
- President Raisi was returning from the inauguration of a dam with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev when the accident occurred. The other two helicopters in his convoy successfully reached their destinations.
- The tragic crash has thrust Iran into a period of political uncertainty as the country prepares for new presidential elections. Vice President Mohammad Mokhber has taken the reins as interim president, while Ali Bagheri, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, has been appointed acting foreign minister.
- The late President Raisi, known for his ultraconservative stance, was in power since 2021 and was a potential successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His death has evoked a wide range of reactions, both domestically and internationally, reflecting his impactful yet divisive tenure.
