Funeral procession of Raisi, companions begins
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Tabriz, the first stop for the funeral procession, witnessed a massive turnout as Iranians bid farewell to martyrs Raisi, Amir-Abdollahian, and their companions.
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Hundreds of thousands of Iranians gather to bid farewell to the bodies of the martyrs in Tabriz on May 21, 2024. (Screengrab/Reuters)
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 stop, hundreds of thousands of Iranians gathered to bid farewell to the bodies of the deceased.
تجمعات حاشدة في #تبريز لاستقبال جثمان الشهيد #الرئيس_الإيراني إبراهيم رئيسي وجثامين رفاقه#الميادين #إيران pic.twitter.com/9NGg5Nw5LE
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) May 21, 2024
"مشاهد لانطلاق مراسم تشييع الرئيس الإيراني الراحل إبراهيم رئيسي ووزير الخارجية أمير عبد اللهيان، وحشود كبيرة في منطقة تبريز تشارك في توديع الرئيس الإيراني"#الميادين #الرئيس_الإیراني #إيران @mayarizkrizk pic.twitter.com/uyrXkXnoRP
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) May 21, 2024
Following Tabriz, the bodies will be taken to Qom, then to the capital, Tehran, before reaching their final destination in Mashhad. There, 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.
"شهادات الناس تلخص اهتمام الرئيس الإيراني بالشباب الإيراني ومستقبلهم، إضافة إلى تقربه من الشعب الإيراني وزيارة الإيرانيين من أجل الاستماع إلى مطالبهم."
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) May 21, 2024
مراسلة #الميادين بيسان طراف #إيران#الرئيس_الإیراني@TarrafBissan pic.twitter.com/ijbmfgnUP1
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.
[This is a developing story]
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