Iran announces funeral schedule for late President Ebrahim Raisi

Iran has announced the funeral schedule for the late President Ebrahim Raisi after he and his entourage died in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province on May 19.

According to Iranian Vice President Mohsen Mansouri, the funeral of the late President Ebrahim Raisi will take place in the cities of Tabriz, Qom, the capital Tehran, Birjand and Mashhad from May 21-23.

Mr. Raisi's body will be buried at the Imam Reza Muslim shrine in Mashhad city (Northeast Iran) on the evening of May 23.

Specifically, Mr. Raisi's body will be taken from Tabriz city to the Shiite Clergy Center in Qom on May 21, before being transferred to Tehran.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is expected to hold a farewell prayer ceremony for Mr Raisi in Tehran on the evening of May 21, before conducting other related rituals.

The body of the late President Raisi will then be returned to his hometown of Mashhad.

Due to the need to attend funerals of people in many provinces, Iran's Ministry of Education has postponed all student exams from May 21-24.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has declared five days of national mourning in memory of President Raisi.

A large number of people gathered in Tabriz city, the capital of East Azerbaijan province, while thousands of people carrying portraits of the late President Raisi were present at the central Valiasr square in the capital Tehran to pay tribute to the politician./ .