Iranians gathered in the northwestern city of Tabraiz to collectively mourn the sudden death of Former President Ebrahim Raisi. His death was announced through state Television as “the servant of the Iranian nation, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi, has achieved the highest level of martyrdom”. This news was reported and officially announced 15 hours after the helicopter crash was discovered. The rescue operation had therefore continued for long hours in the blizzard conditions. Immediately after this news was broadcasted, condolences from various authorities began pouring in. Hamas, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and Syria, offered solidarity and support particularly as allies against the Invasion of Gaza. Pakistan, Russia, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Euorpean Union all expressed their sympathies for this tragic event.
Countrywide mourning: Funeral
The national mourning in the Iran itself, however, began as Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ultimate authority in Iran, declared five days of national mourning. Currently, Citizens of Tabraiz have assembled to grieve the passing of the president. From here, the body will be moved to Iran’s Shia clerical centre of Qom before finally being shifted to Tehran.
The funeral prayer will be held in Tehran where khameni is due to hold prayers on Tuesday night. Major procession in solidarity with the late president will begin on the following day: Wednesday. A grander ceremony is scheduled to occur in Tehran, where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is anticipated to lead the prayers, with the presence of foreign dignitaries. Following this, Thursday morning will see Raisi’s journey to Southern Khorasan province, followed by his transportation to his hometown of Mashhad. There, he will be laid to rest after funeral ceremonies in the evening.
In the processions that have been held up until now, the Iranian people have shown up with portraits of Raisi, Iranian flags, Palestinian flags. For example at central Valiasr Square in the capital Tehran on Monday.
Government designations before the commencement of national mourning
The state appointments followed by the president’s death were firstly the Interim President. The vice-president Mohammed Mokhber has been assigned presidency until elections that will be held on June 28. Moreover, the Ali Bagheri has been designated as the foreign minister.
