Tehran braces for a solemn farewell as Iranians gather to mourn the loss of President Ebrahim Raisi, tragically killed in a helicopter crash. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads the funeral procession amidst a sea of mourners, paying tribute to the late leader and his entourage.
In the heart of Tehran, crowds gather near the University of Tehran, clutching portraits of Raisi, as Ayatollah Khamenei offers prayers over the coffins of the deceased, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Notable figures from Palestinian militant group Hamas and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah join the procession, expressing solidarity with Iran amidst chants of “Death to Israel.”
Raisi’s helicopter crashed into a fog-covered mountainside in northwestern Iran on Sunday, en route to Tabriz from a ceremony on the Azerbaijan border. Despite a massive search and rescue effort involving multiple nations, Raisi’s death was confirmed early Monday.
The late president, widely tipped to succeed Ayatollah Khamenei, leaves behind a legacy of service and sacrifice. In Tehran, banners proclaim him as “the martyr of service,” reflecting the nation’s grief and reverence.
As mourning continues, funeral rites for Raisi and his companions extend from Tehran to Mashhad, his hometown, where he will be laid to rest. Vice President Mohammad Mokhber assumes the role of caretaker president until elections on June 28.
The international community, including allies and adversaries, offers condolences, recognizing Raisi’s impact on Iran and the region. As investigations into the crash commence, Iran navigates a period of transition, honouring the memory of a leader whose tenure reshaped the nation’s trajectory.
