The leader of the Hamas terrorist organization came out of hiding to attend the funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash this weekend. The public appearance also came as other leaders, including one from the terrorist group Hezbollah and Russian President Vladimir Putin, attended the funeral.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was present for the funeral services in Tehran on Wednesday. Haniyeh has not been in Gaza following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack that killed about 1,200 people, but instead in Qatar.
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran attending Raisi's funeral. pic.twitter.com/WohFDBEsLz
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) May 22, 2024
Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem also attended the funeral.
The United Nations Security Council held a moment of silence for the deceased Iranian leader. Russia and China supported the commemoration.
The president was killed alongside the country’s foreign minister and the governor of one province in the crash. The helicopter was flying in dangerous foggy conditions over a mountain range.
Following reports of the crash the search to find the helicopter took much of Sunday. The site was only found after the temperature fell below freezing.
Despite the title of president, Raisi did not hold most of the power in the Islamic Republic. Most of the power is invested in the country’s religious Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is himself a former president.
The country announced a special election for president next month. Candidates must be screened through a religious council before they can make it on the ballot.
The Islamic Republic is a key backer of groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Iranian officials have coordinated with the organizations, which the United States believes are terrorist organizations.
During the Iranian missile and drone attack on Israel last month both Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels aided the Iranian strike.
Iranian officials were also reportedly involved in the planning of the Oct. 7 attack. The plans were reportedly discussed with Hezbollah before the attack was launched late last year, sparking the current Mideast conflict.
