The funeral for former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was held in Mashhad.
- Huge crowds attended the ceremony and funeral procession
- Giant photos of Raisi were displayed along with black flags and religious symbols
- Several people died in the plane crash that killed Raisi in the northwest mountains
- Raisi’s foreign minister was also buried at the ceremony
Raisi’s Popularity Debated
- Many Iranians did not support or mournย Raisi’sย presidency
- He won the 2021 election with only 30% voter turnout, a record low
- His popularity dropped further after violently cracking down on 2022 protests
- While crowds attended the funeral, they don’t represent all 85 million Iranians
Regime Supporters vs. Critics
- People were given free transportation from around Iran to attend the funeral
- Chants of “Death to America” were heard, reflecting Raisi’s hardline faction
- Regime critics question if protests against Raisi would have been allowed
- They ask why a referendum on the regime’s popularity can’t be held freely
Tensions Ahead of New Election
Iran’s Islamic Republic government remains volatile. The upcoming presidential election to replace Raisi is expected to be tense and contested. How the next leader is chosen could significantly shape Iran’s future direction.
