After the fatal helicopter crash of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian, funeral ceremonies are underway in Tehran. High-ranking representatives from several countries came to the funeral – including Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.
High-ranking representatives from various countries are also taking part in the funeral ceremonies in Tehran following the helicopter crash of Iranian President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.
These include Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a delegation from the Afghan Taliban. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri also traveled, although the two countries broke off relations after the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979. China’s Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing will also attend the funeral ceremony for the Iranian president, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
Day off work to mourn
According to state television, millions of people flocked to the funeral for Raisi in central Tehran. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s spiritual leader, led the funeral for the victims of the fatal crash. The service was held at Tehran University. Wednesday was declared a public holiday for the funeral ceremonies. Tehran residents received messages on their cell phones calling on them to attend the funeral ceremonies.
Hamas leader attended church service
The coffins of those killed were covered with Iranian flags. A black turban lay on Raisi’s coffin, which was intended to indicate Raisi’s direct descent from the Islamic prophet Mohammed.
Senior representatives of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and Hamas leader Ismail Haniya were also present at the service. The terrorist organization Hamas is armed and supported in the war by Iran.
Raisi crashed a helicopter over mountainous terrain in bad weather in northwestern Iran on his way to Tabriz on Sunday. Iranian Chief of Staff Mohammed Bagheri has ordered an investigation into the cause of the crash.