Thousands of mourners gathered in the Iranian city of Tabriz to bury President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions, who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Sunday evening.
The funeral prayers were performed amidst an atmosphere of deep sorrow and grief, with every eye shedding tears for the departed souls. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the outpouring of grief and solidarity among Iranians reflects the profound impact of President Raisi’s leadership.
The funeral procession will continue to Tehran, where state funeral prayers will be offered on Wednesday. President Asif Zardari and other world leaders are expected to participate, underscoring the global significance of Raisi’s legacy.
Raisi’s burial will take place in the revered premises of the Imam Ali Raza Mausoleum in Mashhad, a site of deep spiritual significance for Iranians. Across Tehran, mourning prevails as citizens pay homage to their beloved leader, carrying flags and displaying photographs of President Raisi as a symbol of remembrance and reverence.
According to Iranian media, Iran’s presidential elections have been scheduled for June 28. This timeline is in accordance with the constitutional requirement to hold a new presidential election within 50 days following the president’s death.
In related developments, the head of Iran’s disaster management organization announced that all bodies from the helicopter crash are identifiable. Muhammad Hassan Nami said there was no need for DNA testing to confirm the identities of President Raisi and his associates.
Remarkably, the body of Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Al-Hashem, representative of the Iranian supreme leader to East Azerbaijan, was found in relatively good condition. It was revealed that Ayatollah Al-Hashem was alive for an hour after the crash and managed to call the presidential office to report the incident, providing critical information before succumbing to his injuries.
