TEHRAN: High-raking officials from 68 countries gathered in Tehran on Wednesday to honor late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions who lost their lives in a helicopter crash on May 19.
The ceremony was held hours after the funeral procession in the Iranian capital, attended by hundreds of thousands, to mourn Raisi and others, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian, who were killed in Sunday’s accident.
Acting President Mohammad Mokhber, acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, and other government representatives received foreign dignitaries at the event.
Those who attended the ceremony included Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Azerbaijani Premier Ali Asadov.
Apart from Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Leaders from Tunisia, Syria, Tajikistan, and parliamentary speakers from several nations also attended the ceremony and paid their tributes.
Furthermore, foreign ministers of various countries including Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Armenia, Sri Lanka, Jordan, Venezuela and Afghanistan were present to express solidarity.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh participated in the ceremony and held discussions with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the sidelines.
Raisi will be laid to rest in Mashhad, at the shrine of Imam Reza, where he previously served as a custodian from 2016 to 2019.
Amir-Abdullahian will be buried at the Shah Abdul Azim shrine in southern Tehran, fulfilling his family’s wishes.
