Thousands marched in Iran for the final day of funeral rites honouring President Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically died in a helicopter crash earlier this week.
Raisi, 63, along with his foreign minister and six others, perished in the accident while returning from a dam inauguration in the country’s mountainous northwest.
In the eastern city of Birjand, mourners bid farewell to Raisi, holding placards bearing his image and waving flags in his memory.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who declared five days of mourning for the crash victims, led prayers in Tehran on Wednesday during Raisi’s funeral.
Raisi, an ultraconservative, will be interred at the holy shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, his birthplace.
This will mark the first time a top Iranian politician is buried at the shrine, signifying a significant honor for the late leader.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian will also be laid to rest on Thursday at the shrine of Shah Abdol-Azim in Shahr-e Rey.
Before the burial, Iranian officials and foreign dignitaries paid their respects to the late diplomat at a ceremony in Tehran.
Raisi’s passing occurs amid escalating tensions between the clerical establishment and the wider populace, compounded by increasing political and social restrictions.
Vice President Mohammad Mokhber assumed the role of caretaker president on Monday, while Ali Bagheri Kani was designated as acting foreign minister until the June 28 election.
Seyed Mostafa Khoshcheshm, a senior foreign policy analyst, conveyed to Al Jazeera from Tehran that Iranians are experiencing a sense of “unity” in the wake of Raisi’s passing.
He noted that Iran’s foreign policy trajectory is unlikely to shift following Amirabdollahian’s demise, and his successor is anticipated to maintain the same level of diplomatic acumen.
“Of course, it will be hard for the next foreign minister because Amirabdollahian proved to be [a] yardstick and everyone will compare [with him],” Khoshcheshm said.”
“He [the next foreign minister] needs to also be a very industrious, working foreign minister, whoever it will be.”
Ali Hashem, reporting from Tehran for Al Jazeera, highlighted that the Iranian establishment aims to establish “parallel lives,” where Iranians mourn Raisi’s passing while preparing for an election that was not anticipated until next year.
He emphasised that the priority for the establishment is to prevent uncertainty from prevailing and avoid creating a vacuum, as Iranians are particularly sensitive to such situations.
Hence, the decision to hold elections within a shorter timeframe, scheduled for just over a month away.
As the election approaches, Hashem noted that there will be a surge in the registration of candidacies, with discussions circulating, particularly within the conservative camp, regarding potential candidates.
During Raisi’s presidency, which began in 2021, Iran experienced widespread protests, a worsening economic downturn, and unprecedented military confrontations with Israel.
Prior to his untimely death, Raisi was widely seen as the presumed successor to Ayatollah Khamenei.
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