Rabat – Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tabriz, the capital of East Azerbaijan province, on Tuesday to mourn the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The nation has declared five days of mourning, yet the response to Raisi’s death has starkly divided the country.
For many, the late president’s tenure was marked by repression, particularly following the 2022-2023 demonstrations as the country tightened the grip on women’s rights. The protests were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian Kurdish woman, in police custody for violating the country’s strict dress codes by not wearing hijab.
These protests, part of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, saw more than 500 people killed, including 60 children, and over 19,000 protesters jailed.
Laila, a 21-year-old student in Tehran, expressed her lack of sorrow over Raisi’s death. “He ordered the crackdown on women for hijab,” she told Reuters. “But I am sad because even with Raisi’s death this regime will not change.”
Meanwhile, supporters of the clerical establishment mourned Raisi’s death and lauded his legacy. Mohammad Hossein Zarrabi, a 28-year-old member of the Basij militia in Qom, praised Raisi as a “hard-working president” whose legacy will endure, Reuters reported.
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Internationally, Raisi’s death has prompted mixed reactions. Dominic Waghorn, international affairs editor, remarked on Sky News’ program “The World with Yalda Hakim” that Raisi was a “hated leader” responsible for the deaths of many.
“Therefore, many people will be celebrating his death,” he noted. However, Waghorn also emphasized that Raisi’s death does not signify the end of the current regime.
The helicopter crash occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m. local time in the Dizmar forest, between the cities of Varzaqan and Jolfa, amidst severe weather conditions including heavy fog and rain.
Despite immediate rescue efforts, the harsh weather and difficult terrain significantly hampered the search. State media confirmed the recovery of the bodies of Raisi and his delegation early Monday. The late president was accompanied by Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and several other officials, all of whom have died in the crash.
While state media reported that the helicopter crash resulted from a “technical failure,” Iran’s army chief Mohammed Bagheri has ordered an investigation into the incident.
In line with the Iranian constitution , Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume presidential duties until new elections are held within 50 days.
