Bodies of Raisi, companions arrive in Tehran to be laid to rest
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The bodies of President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions arrive in Tehran ahead of being laid to rest on Wednesday morning.
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Mourners hold up posters of the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran, May 21, 2024. (AP)
The bodies of President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions arrive in Tehran ahead of being laid to rest on Wednesday morning.
The bodies of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and their companions arrived Tuesday at the Imam Khomeini Mosque in Tehran ahead of being laid to rest on Wednesday morning.
The Iranian city of Qom mourned Raisi and his companions in a solemn procession, recognizing their efforts and expressing grief over their loss.
The first stop in Qom was the Fatima Masumeh Shrine, where their bodies were awaited by millions of people who had gathered since the early morning hours.
The funeral procession then proceeded through the streets of the city of Qom, arriving at the Jamkaran Mosque.
The city of Tabriz, the capital of Iran's East Azerbaijan Province, bid farewell on Tuesday to President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and their companions.
At the first funeral procession stop, hundreds of thousands of Iranians gathered to bid farewell to the bodies of the deceased.
Following Tabriz, Qom, and Tehran, their final destination is in Mashhad where they will be laid to rest next to the shrine of Imam Ali Ibn Mousa al-Rida.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent conveyed the prevailing atmosphere of sorrow in Mashhad and other Iranian cities and provinces. She confirmed that testimonials from the people corroborate the late Iranian president's dedication to the country's youth and prospects, his closeness to the Iranian populace, notably his visits to engage with them and hear their demands.
Sayyed Khamenei's message
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi alongside Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and accompanying officials have passed away in the tragic helicopter crash in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province, according to an official statement by Iranian state media.
After locating the helicopter carrying the Iranian President and accompanying officials on Monday morning, Iran's Red Crescent Society (IRCS) issued a preliminary statement noting that there was "no sign of life" found near the wreckage locations.
Read next: Ebrahim Raisi, a pillar against Western hegemony
Following the incident, Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei extended his condolences to the people of Iran over the "martyrdom-like" passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and their companions who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
"With deep sorrow and regret, I have received the bitter news of the martyrdom of the people’s President, the competent, hard-working Haj Sayyed Ebrahim Raisi, and his esteemed entourage," Sayyed Khamenei said addressing the nation as posted on his X account.
As for the minister of foreign affairs' duties, they will be carried out by Ali Bagheri Kani, who is assistant minister of foreign affairs, after he was appointed acting minister of foreign affairs.
Following the appointment of Mokhbar as acting president, the Three Powers Committee in Iran agreed to hold presidential elections in the country on June 28, followed by the appointment of a new president on July 8.
