Thousands of people gathered in Tehran for a grand funeral led by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to mourn the late President Ebrahim Raisi, the foreign minister, and others who perished in a helicopter crash. The service took place at Tehran University, with caskets draped in Iranian flags and photos of the deceased. Raisi’s coffin bore a black turban symbolizing his direct lineage to Islam’s Prophet Muhammad. Khamenei led the crowd in prayers for the dead in Arabic before leaving, and Iran’s acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, openly wept during the ceremony. The coffins were then carried out on the shoulders of the mourners amid chants of “Death to America” as they were taken in a procession through downtown Tehran.
The funeral services were attended by top leaders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, a major power center in the country. Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and Naim Qassem of Hezbollah, both groups backed by Iran, were also present. Foreign delegates from countries such as Iraq, Pakistan, Qatar, and Russia sent representatives to pay their respects. Before the funeral, Haniyeh led the crowd in chanting “Death to Israel” and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people in the ongoing conflict in the region. Raisi, in a previous meeting with Haniyeh, had emphasized the importance of the Palestinian issue as a key concern for the Muslim world. Haniyeh praised Raisi’s stance on the Gaza conflict and described his words as an “earthquake in the heart of the Zionist entity.”
The funeral ceremonies began with somber events in Tabriz and Qom, followed by the grand gathering in Tehran where emotional tributes were paid to the departed leaders. The procession culminated at Azadi Square, where Raisi had delivered speeches in the past. The presence of foreign dignitaries from various Muslim-majority nations and allies of Iran underscored the significance of the occasion. Representatives from countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan joined in honoring the deceased. China also sent Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing to attend the funeral, highlighting the international attention and support for Iran during this time of mourning.
The funeral service and procession served as a platform for expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian cause and condemnation of Israel’s actions in the ongoing conflict. Haniyeh’s presence and speech reinforced the ties between Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah in their shared opposition to Israel’s policies. The emphasis on the Palestinian issue as a central concern for the Muslim world resonated with the sentiments of the audience gathered at the funeral. The echo of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” chants reflected the heightened emotions and political undercurrents surrounding the mourning of the late leaders and the broader geopolitical context in the Middle East.
The funeral of the late President Raisi, the foreign minister, and other victims of the helicopter crash served as a poignant moment of national mourning in Iran. The participation of top leaders, foreign dignitaries, and representatives from allied groups underscored the significance of the occasion. The expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian cause and condemnation of Israel’s actions added a political dimension to the funeral proceedings, highlighting Iran’s stance on regional conflicts and alliances. The emotional tributes, prayers, and chants reflected the somber atmosphere prevailing in Tehran as the nation bid farewell to its fallen leaders.
