Iran’s Late President Raisi Laid to Rest at Holiest Shiite Site Following Tragic Helicopter Crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was laid to rest at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, the holiest Shiite shrine in Iran, following a fatal helicopter crash that claimed his life and the lives of seven others, including the country’s foreign minister. The burial ceremony drew hundreds of thousands of mourners dressed in black, who gathered around the shrine to pay their respects.

Despite the large turnout, the services for Raisi have not garnered the same level of public attendance as the 2020 gatherings for Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad. Soleimani’s funeral in Tehran saw approximately 1 million people flooding the streets in mourning, a stark contrast to the recent commemorations for Raisi.

The subdued response to Raisi’s death may reflect public sentiment towards his presidency, marked by a harsh crackdown on dissent and protests. The government’s handling of the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman detained for not wearing her headscarf properly, has also sparked controversy.

Prosecutors have warned against celebrating Raisi’s death publicly, and heavy security measures have been put in place in Tehran. With the upcoming presidential election on 28 June, the political landscape in Iran remains uncertain, with Acting President Mohammad Mokhber stepping into Raisi’s role in the interim.

Raisi’s burial at the Imam Reza Shrine is a significant honor for the late president, making him the first top politician in Iran to be laid to rest at the revered site. As the nation mourns his passing, questions remain about the cause of the helicopter crash and the future of Iranian politics.