A meeting was held between a group of Resistance factions and the chief of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami and the IRGC Quds Force Commander Brigadier General Esmail Qaani on the sidelines of the funeral ceremony for the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Tehran reported.

The Resistance factions comprised Hamas, the Islamic Jihad Movement, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Hezbollah, Ansar Allah in Yemen, and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.

In the meeting, the political, social, and military conditions in Gaza, Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, and the role of the Axis of Resistance amid the ongoing Israeli genocide in the Strip were discussed.

The attendees stressed the importance of the continuation of freedom fighting and struggle in cooperation between all the Resistance factions in the region until the Palestinian Resistance emerges victorious.

Ismail Haniyeh met with Sayyed Ali Khamenei

Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei led the funeral prayer on May 22 for the nation's President Ebrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation, who died in a tragic copter crash on May 20. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians gathered in the streets of Tehran to mourn on the designated official day of mourning.

Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas, also held a separate meeting with Sayyed Ali Khamenei.

Representing the state and people of Palestine, Haniyeh conveyed his condolences to the Iranian leader and the Iranian people for the tragic loss of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and their companions in the helicopter crash.

Meanwhile, the Iranian leader reciprocated by expressing gratitude for the sympathy extended by the Palestinian people, particularly those in Gaza, and offered condolences for the martyrdom of Haniyeh's children.

Highlighting the remarkable resilience of the Gaza populace, which has garnered global support, he noted the unexpected solidarity, such as US student Intifada – a testament to the unprecedented levels of support garnered by the Palestinian cause.

"No one would have believed that one day people in Japan hold demonstrations and chant in favor of Palestine in Persian," Sayyed Khamenei stressed.

He emphasized that Iran's acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, tasked with the country's executive affairs as per the constitution, will uphold the policies and principles regarding Palestine established by the late President Ebrahim Raisi with equal dedication and vigor.

It is noteworthy that Ismail Haniyeh was the only figure who was permitted to speak at the funeral. 

Haniyeh offered condolences on behalf of the Palestinian people and Resistance factions

Haniyeh delivered a speech during the funeral ceremony at Tehran University on May 22, offering condolences on behalf of the Palestinian people, the Resistance factions in the land of Palestine, and Gaza.

Haniyeh said that the late president assured him, during their meeting last Ramadan, that "the Palestinian cause is at the core of the nation’s causes, and that resistance is a strategic option for the liberation project."

He added that Raisi also stressed that "Iran will continue to support the Palestinian Resistance until the aspirations of the [Palestinian] people and the nation are achieved" and that "Operation Al-Aqsa flood is an earthquake that struck the Zionist entity and caused a historic transformation worldwide."

Haniyeh, from Tehran, stressed that "Gaza will pursue resistance until all the land, with blessed al-Quds in its core is liberated," adding, "We are reassured, in the presence of the leaders of the Axis of Resistance, that the Republic will tread on the same policy and principles under the auspices of its leader in supporting Palestine and the Resistance."

Khorasan bids Pres. Raisi farewell in ceremony attended by millions

The funeral procession for the late President Ebrahim Raisi commenced today in the city of Birjand, the capital of South Khorasan Province. 

Before being led to his final resting place, Khorasan Province marks the last stop of the funeral ceremony, which started from Tabriz and then moved to Qom and Tehran.

Footage of the arrival of the body of the #Iranian President, #EbrahimRaisi, and his companions at #Birjand Airport this morning.#Iran #IraniPresident https://t.co/VIEVh4vCKJ

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 23, 2024

The body of the Iranian President has been transported to the final stop of the funeral ceremony in Birjand, the capital of Khorasan Province, before he is buried in the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.

Millions of Iranians and others who traveled to Iran from various countries have been taking part in the funeral ceremony which has been going on for two days.