Thousands of mourners gathered in Tabriz to bid farewell to President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions, who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Sunday evening.
The funeral prayers were performed amidst deep sorrow and grief. Every eye shed tears for the departed souls.
The funeral procession will continue to Tehran. 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 Imam Ali Raza Mausoleum in Mashhad, which holds deep spiritual significance for Iranians. Across Tehran, mourning prevails. Citizens pay homage to their beloved leader, carrying flags and displaying photographs of President Raisi as symbols of remembrance and reverence.
According to Iranian media, Iran’s presidential elections have been scheduled for June 28. This timeline aligns 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 stated there was no need for DNA testing to confirm President Raisi’s and his associates’ identities.
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. He managed to call the presidential office to report the incident, providing critical information before succumbing to his injuries.
