Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi was laid to rest on Thursday, May 23, concluding days of funeral rites attended by throngs of mourners after his death in a helicopter crash, state media reported. Hundreds of thousands marched in his hometown Mashhad to bid farewell to Raisi ahead of his burial following processions in the cities of Tabriz, Qom, Tehran, and Birjand.
The 63-year-old died on Sunday alongside his foreign minister and six others after their helicopter went down in the country’s mountainous northwest. Once the five days of public mourning have passed, acting President Mohammad Mokhber will focus on organizing a new president election set for June 28.
‘Epic farewell’
Raisi had widely been expected to succeed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The funeral drew international dignitaries and leaders, marking the end of an era for Iran and raising questions about the future of the country’s leadership.
The uncertainty around Raisi’s succession adds a layer of complexity to Iranian politics, with various factions vying for power in the upcoming election. The legacy of Raisi and the mourning period he received reflect the deep emotions and political significance of his tenure as president.
International Presence
Tunisian President Kais Saied and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani were some of the foreign leaders who attended the ceremony, with around 60 countries participating. However, the absence of some key nations raised questions about the global response to Iran’s political transition.
The presence of leaders from the “axis of resistance” groups and discussions about regional conflicts during the funeral highlighted the geopolitical implications of Raisi’s death and its impact on the Middle East’s stability.