Following the fatal helicopter crash of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian, funeral ceremonies are underway in Tehran. High-ranking representatives from several countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan and China, attended the funeral.
High-ranking representatives from various countries are also taking part in the funeral ceremonies following the helicopter crash of Iranian President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran.
These include Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a delegation from the Afghan Taliban. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri also traveled there, 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 for the Iranian president, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Day off for mourning
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. Raisi's coffin was covered with a black turban, which was meant to indicate that Raisi was a direct descendant of the Islamic prophet Mohammed.
High-ranking representatives of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and Hamas leader Ismail Haniya were also present at the service. The terrorist organization Hamas is armed by Iran and supported in the war.
Raisi's helicopter crashed over mountainous terrain in northwestern Iran on Sunday in bad weather on the way to Tabriz. Iranian Chief of General Staff Mohammed Bagheri has ordered an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Benjamin Weber, ARD Istanbul, tagesschau, 22.05.2024 13:57
