Iranians mourned the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash along with the country’s foreign minister and others. The funeral service, held at Tehran University and presided over by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saw mourners chanting “Death to America” as they carried the caskets draped in Iranian flags. Raisi’s coffin, marked with a black turban signifying him as a descendant of the Islamic Prophet Muhammed, was a focal point of the service. The acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, openly wept during the event.
Following the funeral service, mourners carried the coffins on their shoulders while chanting “Death to America,” displaying their anti-American sentiments. The procession led to Azadi Square, where Raisi had given speeches in the past. Leaders of Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were in attendance, along with Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, a Palestinian group currently in conflict with Israel. Haniyeh expressed condolences on behalf of the Palestinian people, emphasizing the importance of the Palestinian cause in the Muslim world.
Critics have slammed the United Nations for lowering its flag to half-staff in honor of Raisi, referring to him as a “mass murderer”. Raisi, known as the “Butcher of Tehran,” was accused of leading a crackdown on demonstrations triggered by the death of a young Iranian Kurdish woman at the hands of morality police. Additionally, he was sanctioned by the U.S. government for his involvement in abuses against protesters and mass executions of political prisoners in 1988. Despite warnings against celebrating his death, video footage emerged showing some Iranians rejoicing in the streets.
The five-day period of mourning declared by the Iranian regime following the helicopter crash saw mass demonstrations by mourners across the country. Security measures were tightened in Tehran to prevent any public displays of celebration over Raisi’s death. However, videos shared online showed some Iranians defying the warning and expressing joy at the news of his demise. Human rights activists and critics of the Iranian government have spoken out against Raisi’s legacy, highlighting his authoritarian measures and alleged human rights abuses.
Various leaders from Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Egypt, attended Raisi’s funeral to pay their respects. Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas praised Raisi’s support for the Palestinian cause and his role in the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel. The funeral service for Raisi, marked by chants and displays of anti-American and anti-Israel sentiment, reflected the complex dynamics at play within Iran and the broader Middle Eastern region. Despite differing views on Raisi’s legacy, his death has elicited a range of reactions both within Iran and internationally.
