Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi laid to rest in hometown of Mashhad

MASHHAD: Iran laid its late president Ebrahim Raisi to rest on Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad after he recently died in a helicopter crash.

The crash killed Raisi and the country’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, along with five others in a mountainous area near Jolfa on Sunday.

Read more: Funeral prayers of late Iranian president, others held

Large crowds gathered at the Imam Reza shrine where Raisi’s funeral took place. Raisi’s family flew to Mashhad for the final burial. Large crowds in Mashhad carried photographs of Raisi and threw flowers at the truck transporting his coffin to the shrine.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led the funeral prayers on Wednesday before the coffins moved through the crowded streets of Tehran. Foreign dignitaries including the Tunisian President and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attended the funeral. From Europe, only Belarusian and Serbian officials were present.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian laid to rest

Meanwhile, In Tehran, a separate ceremony took place at the foreign ministry for Hossein Amir Abdollahian, followed by his burial. The late foreign minister’s coffin was wrapped in the country’s flag and bore his photograph. Acting President Mohammad Mokhber attended the burial at a shrine south of Tehran.

Raisi was considered a potential successor to Ayatollah Khamenei and his death is seen as a huge blow for the current leadership. Raisi’s death also necessitated new presidential elections that have been scheduled for June 28.

The former Vice President Mohammad Mokhber is currently serving as interim president until the election. Meanwhile, Ali Bagheri Kani is currently holding the position of interim foreign minister.

Read more: Who is Mohammad Mokhber, Iran’s interim president?

Raisi was elected Iranian president in 2021 after succeeding Hassan Rouhani. His short time in office saw him face crippling economic crisis in Iran, nationwide protests, and escalating tensions in Middle East, including a direct confrontation with Israel.