Iran Mourns President Ebrahim Raisi and Entourage
Tens of thousands of Iranians gathered to mourn President Ebrahim Raisi and seven members of his entourage who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash on a fog-shrouded mountainside in the country’s northwest.
Mourning Procession in Tabriz
Waving Iranian flags and portraits of the late president, mourners set off from a central square in the northwestern city of Tabriz, where Raisi was headed when the helicopter crash occurred. They walked behind a truck carrying the coffins of Raisi and his seven aides.
Search-and-Rescue Operation
Following the helicopter crash, a massive search-and-rescue operation was launched when two other helicopters flying alongside Raisi’s lost contact with his aircraft in bad weather.
National Mourning
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning and assigned Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as caretaker president until a new election can be held. The election is scheduled for June 28.
Funeral Arrangements
Raisi’s body will be flown to the Shiite clerical center of Qom before being moved to Tehran. Processions will be held in the capital, followed by a farewell ceremony led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Raisi will then be buried in his home city of Mashhad.
Legacy of President Ebrahim Raisi
Raisi, 63, had been in office since 2021 and his tenure was marked by mass protests, economic challenges, and heightened tensions with Israel. He succeeded Hassan Rouhani during a period of economic hardship due to UN sanctions.
International Reactions
Condolences poured in from Iran’s allies in the region, including the Syrian government, Hamas, and Hezbollah. Raisi’s unwavering support for the Palestinians was a central theme of his foreign policy.
