MONITORING (SW) – Iran’s supreme leader is attending the funeral procession for Raisi and other Iranian officials killed in Sunday’s helicopter crash.
The coffins of those killed in the crash are draped in Iranian flags with their pictures on them. Raisi’s coffin is in a black turban.
Al Jazeera news agency reporter reported from Tehran’s Freedom Square, said security is tight in the area as thousands of mourners keep pouring in.
“The streets are completely closed to traffic, [with] heavy security measures here, several security checkpoints, and you can see thousands and thousands of people are already pouring into this area.”
Iran’s acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, stood nearby and openly wept during the service.
Soon, the coffins will be taken from Tehran’s Revolutionary Square to Freedom Square, about 5km (3.1 miles) away, where thousands are congregated for the next stage of the procession.
On Tuesday, thousands had gathered in Tabriz, the capital of the East Azerbaijan province, to mourn at a farewell procession for Raisi.
The mourners, waving Iranian flags and portraits of the late president, set out from a central square in the northwestern city where Raisi was headed when his helicopter crashed.
Hamas chief Haniyeh among those in attendance
Also in attendance at the funeral are top leaders of Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh.
“I come in the name of the Palestinian people, in the name of the resistance factions of Gaza … to express our condolences,” Haniyeh told those gathered.
He also recounted meeting Raisi in Tehran during Ramadan and heard the president say the Palestinian issue remains the key one of the Muslim world.
The Muslim world “must fulfil their obligations to the Palestinians to liberate their land”, Haniyeh said, recounting Raisi’s words.
