Iran’s supreme leader on Wednesday presided over the funeral of the late president, foreign minister and others killed in a helicopter crash.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei performed the funeral at Tehran University, with the coffins of the deceased draped in Iranian flags with their photos.
On the coffin of the late President Ebrahim Raïssi was placed a black turban, signifying that he was the direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed.
Mr. Khamenei delivered the customary prayer for the dead in Arabic, the language of Islam’s holy book, the Koran.
He quickly left and the crowd inside rushed forward, reaching out to touch the coffins.
Iran’s interim president, Mohammad Mokhber, stood nearby and openly wept during the service.
People then carried the coffins on their shoulders, shouting “Death to America!”
They loaded them onto a semi-truck for a procession through central Tehran to Azadi Square, or Freedom Square, where Mr. Raisi has given speeches in the past.
Top leaders of the Revolutionary Guards, an Iranian paramilitary organization that constitutes one of the country’s main centers of power, were present.
Ismael Haniyeh of Hamas, the militant group that Iran has armed and supported during the war between Israel and Hamas raging in the Gaza Strip, was also present.
No comment: demonstration in Mexico against judicial reform