It’s a wrap from us
This live page is now closed. Thank you for joining our coverage of the funeral procession of Iran’s late President Raisi and seven other officials.
A reminder that the burials will take place tomorrow.
You can read more about the day’s events here.
- 9h ago(12:55 GMT)
Photos: Mourners gather in Tehran for funeral procession
Massive crowds of Iranians thronged the streets of the capital, Tehran, for the funeral procession of President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage, who died in a helicopter crash.
View the photo gallery from the procession in Tehran.
[Majid Asgaripour/WANA] 
[Atta Kenare/AFP] 
[Majid Asgaripour/WANA] 
[Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA-EFE] - 9h ago(12:50 GMT)
What to expect tomorrow
As we’ve reported, the foreign dignitaries are currently paying their respects to Raisi and other officials killed in the crash on Sunday.
Here is what is expected tomorrow:
- At 8am (04:30 GMT), the body of Raisi is expected to arrive in Birjand.
- His burial is likely to take place in Mashhad, his hometown, later tomorrow.
- Other officials will be buried in their hometowns.
- 9h ago(12:40 GMT)
Foreign dignitaries pay their respects at official ceremony
The commemoration ceremony for Iran’s Raisi and other officials who died in Sunday’s crash has started at the Iran International Conference Center in northern Tehran, reports Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency.
Visiting delegations, including from Jordan and Oman, have entered the procession, paying tribute to Raisi and the other officials, according to videos posted by the news agency.
- 9h ago(12:25 GMT)
Kuwait’s FM heads to Tehran
More foreign dignitaries are flying into Tehran ahead of the commemoration ceremony.
One of the latest officials to head there is Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali al-Yahya, who will attend the funeral on behalf of Kuwait’s emir.
- 9h ago(12:10 GMT)
Iranian expats shed fewer tears for Raisi
While tens of thousands of Iranians have gathered in Tehran to mourn their late president, reactions among Iranian expatriates, many critical of him and the government, vary.
Many Iranian diaspora members, including those who fled after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, view Raisi as an ultraconservative figure responsible for enforcing repressive laws and a crackdown on protests and dissidents.
They also point to Raisi’s alleged role in mass executions of political prisoners at the end of Iran’s long war with Iraq in the 1980s, for which he received US sanctions.
Seeing Raisi’s death as a blow to the government they revile, some groups of Iranian dissidents have even publicly celebrated in European cities, according to Nazenin Ansari, editor of the Kayhan London website.
“Each member of this regime that goes is a victory for us,” said Guilda Torabi, spokesperson for the Homa association, an Iranian support group in France.
- 10h ago(12:00 GMT)
Pakistan PM, Belarus FM arrive in Tehran
Iran’s Mehr news agency is reporting that Pakistan’s PM Sharif has arrived in Tehran.
Among other foreign dignities, Belarus’s Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik also arrived in Iran’s capital this afternoon.
- 10h ago(11:50 GMT)
What is taking place today?
Crowds have gathered in Tehran for the funeral processions as coffins of those killed in the helicopter crash on Sunday arrive.
Here’s what is expected today:
- The main funeral procession started this morning at Tehran University.
- From there, the procession moved to Freedom Square.
- At about 4pm (12:30 GMT), foreign dignitaries will attend a commemoration ceremony for Raisi.
- In the evening, Raisi’s body will head to his hometown of Mashhad for burial.
- The bodies of other officials killed in the crash will be sent to their hometowns for burial.
- 10h ago(11:40 GMT)
Who was Ebrahim Raisi?
- The 63-year-old represented conservative and hardline factions in Iranian politics and was president for nearly three years.
- A former chief justice, Raisi was touted as a potential successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 85-year-old supreme leader of Iran.
- Raisi was born in Mashhad in northeastern Iran, a religious hub for Shia Muslims. He underwent religious education and was trained at the seminary in Qom, studying under prominent scholars, including Khamenei.
- Raisi racked up experience as a prosecutor in multiple jurisdictions before coming to Tehran in 1985.
- The late president was a longtime member of the Assembly of Experts, the body that is tasked with choosing a replacement for the supreme leader in the event of his death.
- He became attorney general in 2014 for two years, when he was appointed by Khamenei to lead the Astan Quds Razavi.
Read more about Iran’s late President Raisi in our obituary here.
- 10h ago(11:30 GMT)
Iraq’s Sudani praises Raisi’s ‘public service’
During a meeting with Iran’s Khamenei, Iraq’s PM al-Sudani praised Raisi as being “honest”, “sincere”, and committed to public service, according to comments carried by Iran’s state-owned Press TV.
Al-Sudani said the mass turnout for Raisi’s funeral in Tehran showed Iranian authorities’ “strong relationship” with the public, “despite all the pressure, sanctions and this unfortunate incident”.
- 10h ago(11:20 GMT)
WATCH: State funeral for Raisi under way in Tehran
State funeral for Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi is underway in Tehran - 10h ago(11:10 GMT)
Death of Raisi delays talks with UN’s nuclear watchdog
The deaths of Iran’s president and foreign minister have forced the postponement of the country’s talks with the UN’s nuclear watchdog, according to the agency’s chief.
“They are in a mourning period which I need to respect,” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi told Reuters news agency in Helsinki, where he was speaking at a nuclear conference.
“But once this is over, we are going to be engaging again,” he said, adding that he hoped talks would resume “in a matter of days”.
The IAEA wants to more closely monitor Iran’s atomic activities as it advances its uranium enrichment programme.
Iran is enriching uranium to up to 60 percent purity, close to the 90 percent of weapons-grade, which no other country has done without developing nuclear weapons.
Tehran says its aims are entirely peaceful.
- 11h ago(11:00 GMT)
Cultural, sports events, weddings postponed in Iran
Iranian media is reporting that in addition to closing cinemas, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has halted all cultural and artistic activities across the country, including concerts, for seven days.
The government announced a five-day mourning period after the death of Raisi and other officials on Sunday.
All Cultural Heritage Week events have been postponed, museums closed, all sports competitions suspended, wedding halls closed and wedding ceremonies postponed.
- 11h ago(10:50 GMT)
Iran’s Khamenei meets with visiting delegations
Several visiting foreign dignitaries have now met Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei to present their individual condolences.
They include Hamas leader Haniyeh, Iraq’s PM al-Sudani and Armenia’s PM Pashinyan, according to posts by Khamenei’s office on X.
Translation: Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political office of Hamas, in today’s meeting: I express my condolences to His Highness and the brotherly nation of Iran and the authorities of Iran [following the martyrdom of Dr Raisi].
- 11h ago(10:40 GMT)
Raisi’s coffin arrives in Freedom Square
The coffins carrying Iran’s late president and other officials killed in Sunday’s crash have now arrived in Tehran’s Freedom Square, where thousands have congregated to pay their respects, Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar reports from the Iranian capital.
As we reported earlier, Raisi’s body will later be taken to his hometown of Mashhad for burial.
The body of the foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, will be buried in southern Tehran.
- 11h ago(10:35 GMT)
Who is Mohammad Mokhber, Iran’s interim president?
A reminder than elections are scheduled to take place on June 28.
In the meantime, Mohammad Mokhber was named Iran’s interim president after Raisi’s death.
The former first vice president held an extraordinary meeting with judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliament speaker, on Monday morning.
Read our piece on who Mokhber is.
[ATTA KENARE / AFP] - 11h ago(10:25 GMT)
Qatar’s emir heads to Tehran
Qatar has announced that its emir has left Doha for Tehran to take part in the funeral of late President Raisi.
He will join other leaders of state in Iran’s capital.
- 11h ago(10:15 GMT)
Photos: Mourners turn out in big numbers in Tehran
[Majid Asgaripour/WANA] 
[Majid Asgaripour/WANA] [Majid Asgaripour/WANA] - 11h ago(10:05 GMT)
Iran’s government looking to boost turnout in upcoming presidential vote
Given waning turnout in recent elections, Iran’s government is likely to do all it can to ensure strong participation in the upcoming vote on Raisi’s replacement, says Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar, noting that it will be key to its own legitimacy.
“The political establishment here is going to mobilise all the means and capabilities in trying to bring that turnout high and show that the nation is united behind the political establishment,” Serdar said, reporting from the funeral processions in Tehran.
- 12h ago(09:55 GMT)
How Raisi’s death could affect Iranian politics
Mohammad Mokhber, a veteran Iranian government official who is close to Supreme Leader Khamenei, is Iran’s interim president following Raisi’s death.
But the country will go to the polls on June 28 to select a new president.
Candidates will be able to register from May 30 to June 3, while campaigning will take place from June 12-27, according to Iranian state media.
“The judiciary, the legislative branch, as well as the executive branch are being controlled by the more right-leaning conservatives in Iran currently,” Reza H Akbari, Middle East and North Africa programme manager at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, told Al Jazeera.
“So some analysts believe Raisi’s death may open up room for more traditional conservative [candidates] to make an attempt at the office of the presidency.”
Read more here.
- 12h ago(09:40 GMT)
Iran’s conservatives turn out in large numbers for funeral processions
The area between Revolution Square and Freedom Square, roughly 5km (3.1 miles), is completely dedicated to the funeral ceremony. People are still arriving.
The coffins will arrive shortly. People are going to pay their respects here.
Raisi was no doubt extremely popular among the conservative segments of the society. The base that is present here today mostly represents the conservatives of Iran.
- 12h ago(09:30 GMT)
Iranians in India hold ceremony for Raisi
The Iran Culture House in India’s capital, New Delhi, has held a commemoration ceremony for Raisi and the other officials killed in Sunday’s crash.
As we reported earlier, India’s foreign minister, Jagdeep Dhankhar, is now in Tehran for the ongoing procession ahead of the funeral.
- 12h ago(09:20 GMT)
Egypt’s FM making first visit to Iran for funeral
Despite strained diplomatic ties with Iran, Egypt is sending its foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, to Tehran for today’s funeral processions, reports the Mehr news agency which added that it will be his first visit to the country.
Earlier this month, Shoukry met Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who died along with Raisi in Sunday’s helicopter crash, at a summit for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in The Gambia.
The two ministers discussed efforts to improve bilateral ties and the continuing war in Gaza.
- 12h ago(09:10 GMT)
More foreign delegations arrive in Iran
At least 15 heads of state and senior officials have now arrived in Tehran before Raisi’s funeral, according to Iran’s semiofficial Mehr news agency.
They include:
- Qatar’s emir and PM
- Turkmenistan’s leader
- Presidents of Tunisia and Tajikistan
- PMs of Iraq, Pakistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
- Parliament heads of Iraq, Russia, Algeria, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Lebanon
Representatives of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Taliban have also travelled to Tehran for the procession.
- 13h ago(09:00 GMT)
‘Significant discussions’ will take place today
Abas Aslani, a journalist and senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, says that “it seems the authorities want to make this mourning very public and also portray a sense of stability in Iran”.
“One message they are trying to put out is that the nation will not fall and it will become more united as the country prepares for an early presidential election,” he told Al Jazeera from Tehran.
“They were quick enough to appoint an acting president and foreign minister in order to avoid a sense of say, vacuum or a gap. This is meant to reassure the public that this incident will not bring about any disruption. Today, the second part of the programme will include foreign dignitaries visiting the country and I think significant discussions will be made.”
- 13h ago(08:50 GMT)
If you’re just joining us
Thousands of Iranians have gathered in the capital, Tehran, to mourn the death of Ebrahim Raisi and seven other officials who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
Here is what has happened so far today:
- Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei led prayers at Tehran University, with high-level foreign dignitaries, including Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, in attendance.
- The coffins of Raisi and the other officials are now being taken towards Revolution Square in Tehran’s city centre and then on to Freedom Square for the next stage of the procession.
- Thousands of Iranians, encouraged by phone messages to pay their respects at the proceedings, have taken to the streets of Tehran. Huge banners have gone up hailing Raisi as “the martyr of service”.
- At about 4pm (12:30 GMT), foreign dignitaries are expected to attend a commemoration ceremony for Raisi. They will include representatives of Turkey, Iraq, India, Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
- In the evening, Raisi’s body will head to his hometown of Mashhad to be buried at Imam Reza shrine. The bodies of other officials killed in the crash will be sent to their hometowns for burial.
- 13h ago(08:40 GMT)
Raisi’s coffin expected shortly in Freedom Square
Tens of thousands of Iranians have poured onto the streets between Revolution Square and Freedom Square right behind me. More and more are still arriving.
In the morning, Supreme Leader Khamenei led prayers for the late President Raisi, the foreign minister and the other officials.
We’re now expecting the coffins to arrive shortly at Freedom Square where people are going to pay their respects.
We have been seeing people crying here, wailing for their late president. Most of the people are in black in a sign of mourning.
- 13h ago(08:30 GMT)
Who is Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran’s acting foreign minister?
Hossein Amirabdollahian, who was Iran’s foreign minister, also died in the helicopter crash alongside President Ebrahim Raisi and several other officials and staff on Sunday.
Ali Bagheri Kani, a 57-year-old political insider with a history of serving in Iran’s diplomatic and security apparatuses, was appointed interim foreign minister.
The new foreign minister was born in a village just north of the capital, Tehran, to a conservative family that helped establish and strengthen the Islamic republic.
Read our piece here on who Kani is.
- 13h ago(08:20 GMT)
Who is attending the funeral processions today?
In addition to the Pakistan PM Sharif, Iraqi media is reporting that Iraq PM al-Sudani has also arrived in Tehran.
China’s vice PM, Azerbaijan’s PM, Hamas chief Haniyeh, Armenia’s PM and Taliban leaders are also expected to be in Iran’s capital today.
- 13h ago(08:10 GMT)
Where will Raisi be buried?
According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Raisi will be buried on Thursday at the Dar al-Salam portico of Imam Reza Shrine, located in his hometown Mashhad.
The shrine carries deep influence among Shia Muslims, holding the remains of the eighth Shia leader Ali al-Rida. It is a key pilgrimage site, drawing millions of visitors per year, according to Iranian state media.
A picture shows Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, Iran [Atta Kenare/AFP] - 14h ago(08:00 GMT)
What happened on Sunday?
Golam Hussein Ismaili, Raisi’s chief of staff, said on Monday that “about half an hour into the flight, we spotted a cloud patch in the valley near the mine”.
“The pilot carrying the president decided to ascend above the clouds, which we followed. But within 30 seconds above the clouds, we lost sight of the president’s helicopter. Our pilot speculated on an emergency landing by the president’s pilot and circled the area several times. Unfortunately, with no news forthcoming, we were forced to land in the mining area.”
- 14h ago(07:50 GMT)
Pakistan PM Sharif leaves for Iran
Pakistan’s Samaa news outlet is reporting that the country’s PM Shehbaz Sharif has departed for Iran to take part in funerals taking place for Iranian officials.
Sharif will be accompanied by deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the report added.
- 14h ago(07:40 GMT)
Five days of mourning in Iran
A reminder that Iran declared five days of mourning in memory of Raisi, Amirabdollahian and other Iranian officials who were killed in the helicopter crash.
- 14h ago(07:30 GMT)
WATCH: What does Raisi’s death mean for Iran?
Raisi was seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Khamenei. So how will his death affect Iranian policy – both domestically and abroad? And could there be repercussions in the region?
Watch the discussion on our Inside Story episode below:
What does Ebrahim Raisi's death mean for Iran? - 14h ago(07:20 GMT)
Are sanctions behind Iran’s aviation crisis?
The US-manufactured, two-blade Bell 212 that Raisi was travelling in is believed to have been decades old. Foreign sanctions on Iran dating back to the 1979 revolution, and subsequently over its nuclear programme and its backing of the so-called “axis of resistance”, have made it difficult for the country to obtain aircraft parts or new aircraft.
Since the first US sanctions on Iran 45 years ago, the Iranian economy has continued to take hits, and its airlines have in particular been impacted.
But Iran’s tense geopolitical neighbourhood, and especially its taut relationship with Israel and the US, have also led to deadly errors resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people.
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