Iran Mourns President Raisi A Nation Unites in Solemn Farewell

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Iran Mourns President Raisi with Solemn Burial

Iran’s late president Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically died in a helicopter crash last weekend, was buried on Thursday following a massive three-day mourning procession that spanned five major cities. The funeral service was held in his hometown of Mashhad, at the sacred shrine of Imam Reza, a site that draws over 20 million pilgrims annually.

Honored Burial at a Holy Site

For Iran’s Shia Muslims, being buried near a holy site like Imam Reza’s shrine is a significant honor, typically reserved for high-ranking religious or political leaders. Raisi’s burial in such a revered location underscores his prominent status in the country.

The day before the burial, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led a solemn ceremony in Tehran for Raisi and the other victims of the crash, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian. Amirabdollahian was also laid to rest on Thursday at a shrine in southern Tehran.

International Condolences and Diplomacy

Several international dignitaries traveled to Iran to pay their respects to Raisi. Among them were the Emir of Qatar, Iraq’s Prime Minister, and the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Under Raisi’s administration, Iran had restored diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia after a seven-year break and was working towards full normalization with Egypt after more than four decades.

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Leaders from the Axis of Resistance, which includes Iran-backed groups like Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, also visited to express their condolences. The Tasnim news agency, closely associated with the Revolutionary Guard, reported a significant meeting in Tehran involving top military commanders, including Major General Hossein Salami and Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani.

Strategic Military Discussions

During this meeting, discussions focused on the ongoing political, social, and military situation in Gaza, with an emphasis on continuing resistance efforts until achieving victory in Palestine. This reflects Iran’s sustained commitment to supporting its allies in the region.

Political Transition and Upcoming Elections

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In response to Raisi’s untimely death, Ayatollah Khamenei has appointed First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber as the interim head of the executive branch. An emergency presidential election is scheduled for June 28. The political landscape is already shifting, with factions preparing for a contest likely dominated by hardliners.

Potential hardline candidates include Mokhber, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Tehran mayor Alireza Zakani. Ali Larijani, a conservative former parliamentary speaker with moderate ties, might also enter the race if the regime permits broader participation. Candidate registration begins next week.

Exclusion of Former Presidents

Despite sending condolences, none of Iran’s former presidents were invited to Raisi’s funeral, highlighting their falling out with the current regime, which is increasingly consolidating power in preparation for the eventual succession of the 85-year-old Khamenei. Raisi had been seen as a leading candidate to succeed the supreme leader.

Raisi’s father-in-law, Ahmad Alamolhoda, a powerful cleric in Mashhad, underscores the deceased president’s influential connections. The shrine where Raisi is now buried functions almost like an independent state, with significant business trusts and properties donated by Shia Iranians, reflecting its vast economic and religious influence.