TEHRAN: Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi was laid to rest on Thursday, concluding days of funeral rites attended by throngs of mourners after his death in a helicopter crash, state media reported.
Hundreds of thousands marched in his home town Mashhad to bid farewell to Raisi ahead of his burial following processions in the cities of Tabriz, Qom, Tehran and Birjand.
The 63-year-old died on Sunday alongside his foreign minister and six others after their helicopter went down in the country’s mountainous northwest while returning from a dam inauguration on the border with Azerbaijan.
Once the five days of public mourning, announced on Monday, have passed, the authorities including acting President Mohammad Mokhber will focus on organizing an election for a new president set for June 28.
Men and women, who were mainly clad in black chadors and clutching white flowers, crowded the main boulevard of Mashhad, the Islamic republic’s second city in the northeast where Raisi was born.
Some held aloft placards paying tribute to Raisi as the “man of the battlefield” as a large truck carrying his body drove through the sea of mourners.
“I have come, O king, give me refuge,” said a slogan emblazoned on top of the truck, in reference to Imam Reza, the eighth imam of Shiite Islam.
Posters of Raisi, black flags and Shiite symbols were erected along the streets of Mashhad, particularly around Raisi’s final resting place — the Imam Reza shrine, a key mausoleum visited by millions of pilgrims every year.
Earlier thousands of people holding images of Raisi and waving flags lined the streets of Birjand, capital of the eastern province of South Khorasan, for the procession of Raisi’s coffin.
Raisi was South Khorasan’s representative in the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body in charge of selecting or dismissing Iran’s supreme leader.
Raisi had widely been expected to succeed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led prayers in Tehran on Wednesday for the late president and knelt before the coffins of the eight people killed in the helicopter crash.
Among them was foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who was buried Thursday in the shrine of Shah Abdol-Azim in the town of Shahre Ray south of the capital.
Iranian officials and foreign dignitaries paid their respects to the late top diplomat at a ceremony in Tehran ahead of the burial.
Massive crowds had gathered for a funeral procession in the Iranian capital on Wednesday to pay their final respects to the president, whom officials and media dubbed a “martyr.”
Iran’s conservative newspapers carried large front-page pictures of the gathering on Thursday, hailing the ceremonies as an “Epic farewell” and saying Raisi would forever remain “In the hearts of the people.”
Reformist dailies such as Sazandegi carried headlines that read: “The last farewell.”
Tunisian President Kais Saied and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani attended an afternoon ceremony for Raisi on Wednesday in which around 60 countries took part, according to the official news agency IRNA.
Member countries of the European Union were among the absentees of the ceremony, while some non-member countries, including Belarus and Serbia had representatives.
The leaders of the Iran-led “axis of resistance” regional militant groups also came to the Islamic republic for the funeral.
Among them were Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Palestinian group Hamas’s political bureau in Qatar, and senior members of Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and Yemen’s Houthi militia as well as representatives of Islamic Jihad and Iraqi militant groups.
They met on the sidelines of the funeral with General Hossein Salami, commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and Esmail Qaani, head of the Guards’ foreign operations arm, the Quds Force, for talks on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
Khamenei, who wields ultimate authority in Iran, declared the five days of national mourning and assigned vice president Mokhber, 68, as caretaker president until the June 28 election.
A presidential election in Iran had not been expected until next year, and the crash has caused some uncertainty as to who will succeed Raisi, with some expressing concern about the upcoming president.
“How do I find someone like him? I’m really worried about that,” said 31-year-old cleric Mohsen at Wednesday’s gathering in Tehran. “As far as I know, we don’t have anyone of his stature.”
Raisi was elected president in 2021, succeeding the moderate Hassan Rouhani at a time when the economy was battered by US sanctions imposed over Iran’s nuclear activities.
The ultra-conservative’s time in office saw mass protests, a deepening economic crisis and unprecedented armed exchanges with arch-enemy Israel.
After his death, Russia and China sent their condolences, as did NATO, while the UN Security Council observed a minute’s silence.
Messages of condolence also flooded in from Iran’s allies around the region, including the Syrian government as well as Hamas and Hezbollah.
Iran’s Raisi buried after dying in helicopter crash
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Iran’s Raisi buried after dying in helicopter crash
- Hundreds of thousands marched in home town Mashhad to bid farewell to Raisi ahead of his burial following processions in cities of Tabriz, Qom, Tehran and Birjand
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation initiative ‘outrageous’: UN probe chief
- GHF began operations on May 26 after Israel completely cut off supplies into Gaza for more than two months, sparking warnings of mass famine
- UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the foundation over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives
GENEVA: The use of the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to distribute food in the Palestinian territory is “outrageous,” the head of a UN inquiry said Wednesday.
Navi Pillay, who chairs the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Israel and the Palestinian territories, joined a growing chorus of criticism of the GHF’s operations, and cited its US links.
“In every war, the siege and starvation surely leads to death,” the former UN rights chief told journalists.
“But this initiative of what’s called a foundation, a private foundation, to supply food, is what I see as outrageous, because it involves the United States itself, the government, and it turns out, as we watch daily, that people who go to those centers are being killed as they seek food.”
An officially private effort with opaque funding, GHF began operations on May 26 after Israel completely cut off supplies into Gaza for more than two months, sparking warnings of mass famine.
The United Nations and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the foundation over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.
Dozens of Palestinians have been killed while trying to reach GHF distribution points.
Pillay said the commission would “have to look into... the policy purpose and how it’s being effected.
“We have to spell out what is the motive of, right now, the killing of people who are coming for humanitarian aid from this so-called foundation — and that lives are being lost just in trying to secure food for their children.”
Unprecedented in its open-ended scope, the three-person Commission of Inquiry was established by the UN Human Rights Council in May 2021 to investigate alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
South African former High Court judge Pillay, 83, served as a judge on the International Criminal Court and presided over the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
On Tuesday she presented the commission’s latest report to the Human Rights Council.
It said Israel had attacked Gaza’s schools, religious and cultural sites as part of a “widespread and systematic” assault on the civilian population, in which Israeli forces have committed “war crimes” and “the crime against humanity of extermination.”
Israel does not cooperate with the investigation and has long accused it of “systematic anti-Israel discrimination.”
UAE president, Russia’s Putin discuss Iran-Israel conflict
- Emirati, Russian leaders proposed ways to contain the military escalation
LONDON: Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to discuss the latest developments in the Iran-Israel conflict, which entered its sixth day as of Wednesday.
The leaders addressed the grave implications of the conflict — which began on Friday — on regional and global security, according to the Emirates News Agency.
They discussed efforts to contain the war and halt the spiraling escalation, and highlighted the importance of exercising restraint and pursuing dialogue to avoid further threats to security.
Putin and Sheikh Mohamed voiced their support for all efforts aimed at achieving a solution through diplomatic means, WAM reported.
UN official arrives to discuss UNIFIL’s mandate in southern Lebanon
- Aoun says Lebanon is committed to the peacekeeping force and trying to secure funding
- Jean-Pierre Lacroix: The UN supports Lebanon’s demand for the continued work of UNIFIL
BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday informed Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN undersecretary-general for peace operations, of “Lebanon’s firm commitment to maintaining the UNIFIL (mandate) in southern Lebanon for the implementation of Resolution 1701, in coordination with the Lebanese army, which will continue its deployment in the south and the full implementation of the agreement reached in November 2024.”
Aoun expressed hope that “the countries funding international peace missions will be able to provide the necessary funding for UNIFIL’s operations so that the international forces operating in southern Lebanon are not adversely affected.” He said further that “Lebanon will engage in contacts with sisterly and friendly countries in this regard.”
Lacroix arrived in Beirut as part of a round of talks with Lebanese officials, two months ahead of the traditional UN Security Council session on the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate in southern Lebanon, amid a reduction in US contributions to the peacekeeping budget and ongoing developments in the border area following Israel’s war on Hezbollah, as well as attacks on UNIFIL by Hezbollah supporters trying to prevent patrols without Lebanese army escorts.
The international official’s meetings took place against the backdrop of Israeli aerial offences, with reconnaissance aircraft flying over Beirut and its southern suburbs at low altitude.
During the meeting, according to a statement from the Presidential Palace media office, Lacroix said that “UNIFIL continues to carry out its duties despite the difficult conditions facing the region.”
He explained that “the Lebanese government’s request to renew the international force is under consideration by the UN and the member states of the Security Council. There are differing viewpoints regarding UNIFIL’s role and mandate, and efforts are underway to bridge those views in order to reach an agreement before the mandate expires at the end of August.”
A Lebanese source participating in the international official’s meetings in Beirut, in which he was accompanied by UNIFIL commander Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, said: “Lacroix spoke about the tendency of countries, especially the US, to request further amendments of UNIFIL’s missions in south Lebanon and a reduction in the number of participating forces. The requests did not involve cutting the services provided by these forces in the south to help the residents of the area that UNIFIL’s missions cover, which vary between medical, social and educational assistance.”
After his meeting with Aoun, Lacroix said: “The UN supports Lebanon’s demand for the continued work of UNIFIL, especially since coordination between UNIFIL and the Lebanese army takes place regularly."
Aoun emphasized that “maintaining stability in the South is a vital matter, not only to Lebanon but also to all countries in the region, and UNFIL’s role is essential in maintaining this stability.”
Aoun described “the cooperation between the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL as excellent.” He said: “Lebanon is fully upholding its commitments regarding Resolution 1701 and its provisions. However, completing the army’s deployment to the border requires the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories, the return of Lebanese prisoners held in Israeli prisons and the cessation of hostilities constantly targeting Lebanese territory.”
Israel still to occupies five Lebanese hills, which it considers strategic, and violates the ceasefire agreement every day by carrying out land incursions, bulldozing roads, blocking others, and conducting air strikes to assassinate Hezbollah members and raids beyond the Litani River and extending to Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa Valley.
Lebanon, meanwhile, through its Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, emphasized that “the Lebanese army dismantled more than 500 weapons depots in the south. We have strengthened security at Beirut Airport and we are working with diplomatic channels to stop Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and withdraw from the five sites.”
Aoun awarded Lazaro the National Order of the Cedar, and rank of commander, in recognition of his efforts during his tenure as commander of the international force operating in southern Lebanon. The ceremony marked the conclusion of Lazaro’s mission and his imminent departure from the country.
Lazaro held a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and is expected to meet with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday.
The discussion focused on the latest developments in southern Lebanon and the UNIFIL forces’ work, according to a statement from Berri’s office.
Under Israeli attack, Iran has ‘legitimate’ right to self-defense: Erdogan
- Erdogan said Turkiye is 'closely following Israel’s terrorist attacks on Iran'
- He had ordered the defense industry to increase production of medium and long-range missiles to 'increase its level of deterrence'
ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday Iran had the “legitimate” right to defend itself in the face of Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign, now in its sixth day.
“It is a very natural, legitimate and legal right for Iran to defend itself against Israel’s thuggery and state terrorism,” the Turkish leader said, a day after referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “the biggest threat to the security of the region.”
The long-range blitz began early Friday, when Israel launched a massive bombing campaign that prompted Iran to hit back with missiles and drones, including hypersonic missiles.
“These attacks were organized while the Iranian nuclear negotiations were taking place,” Erdogan said.
“Israel, which possesses nuclear weapons and does not recognize any international rules... did not wait for the negotiations to end but carried out a terrorist act without waiting for the result,” he added.
Iran says at least 224 people have been killed in the Israeli attacks, which have targeted nuclear and military facilities, while Iranian fire on Israel has claimed at least 24 lives and wounded hundreds more, Netanyahu’s office said.
“We are closely following Israel’s terrorist attacks on Iran. All our institutions are on high alert regarding the possible effects of these attacks on Turkiye,” Erdogan said.
“We are making preparations for every kind of scenario,” he said.
“Nobody should dare to test us. We don’t have any desire to take other people’s lands... in the region,” he added.
His remarks prompted a sharp riposte from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who pointed to Turkiye’s presence in Syria and in the divided island of Cyprus, where it controls the northern part.
“It is particularly ironic that someone who does not hide his imperialist ambitions, who invaded northern Syria and illegally holds northern Cyprus, claims to speak in the name of morality and international law,” Saar wrote on X.
“A little self-awareness could be helpful,” he added.
On Monday, Erdogan said he had ordered the defense industry to increase production of medium and long-range missiles to “increase its level of deterrence” in light of the air war between Israel and Iran.
Israeli forces kill young Palestinian, arrest 60 during night raids in West Bank
- Moataz Al-Hajjleh, 21, killed in raid near Bethlehem
- Israel forces have arrested 160 Palestinians this week
LONDON: Israeli forces killed a 21-year-old Palestinian and arrested at least 60 people during night raids on Tuesday across various towns in the occupied West Bank, including a woman, children, and former political prisoners.
The Palestinian Authority’s affiliated groups, the Commission of Prisoners’ Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society, announced on Wednesday that Israeli forces have arrested 160 Palestinians in the West Bank so far this week.
Some of those arrested were later released following interrogation.
Moataz Al-Hajjleh, 21, from the town of Al-Walaja village near Bethlehem, was killed during an Israeli raid of the area overnight.
Israeli forces conducted arrests and investigations during raids in several Palestinian governorates, including Nablus, Jenin and Ramallah.
Israeli forces have turned dozens of Palestinian houses into military points after forcibly expelling their inhabitants in the Jenin environs, the Wafa news agency reported.
At the same time, several villages had their entrances closed with earth mounds or gates.
The prisoners’ groups added that ongoing mass detention operations by Israeli forces “continue to be the most prominent, consistent, and systematic policies employed by the occupation to undermine any escalating resistance against it.”
