Tens of thousands of Iranians gathered in central Tehran, near the University of Tehran, to mourn President Ebrahim Raisi, who died on May 19 in a helicopter crash.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is expected to speak.
Crowds have been standing near the Khomeini Great Mosque in Tehran since last night, preparing for the funeral ceremony.
The Iranian Mahar agency reports that representatives of different religions, including local rabbis, will participate in the ceremony.
Leaders of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, as well as high-ranking representatives of Hezbollah, have arrived in Tehran to participate in the ceremony.
It is also reported that the funeral of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian will take place on May 23.
On May 19, 2024, a Bell-212 helicopter carrying the Iranian President and other dignitaries crashed into a mountain near the village of Tawil, 30 km from the border with Azerbaijan, and completely burned out.
Those killed include Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Governor of East Azerbaijan Province Malek Rahmati, Friday Imam of the city of Tabriz Mohammad Ali Ale Hashem, Chief of the Presidential Guard General of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Mehdi Mousavi, First Pilot Colonel Sayed Taher Mostafavi, co-pilot Colonel Mohsen Daryanush, and technician Major Behrouz Gadi.
The investigation into the circumstances of the crash continues.
The President of Iran and his entourage were flying on an American-made Bell-212 helicopter, produced about 30 years ago. Due to sanctions, American-made helicopters in Iran have not been serviced by Americans for a long time.
