Photo: AFP
Eurasia
22/05/2024 17:13
Khamenei has declared five days of national mourning. Memorials for Raisi and his entourage began on Tuesday in the city of Tabriz and the Shia clerical centre of Qom.
Iranian media reported that in addition to closing cinemas, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has also halted all cultural and artistic activities across the country, including concerts, for seven days.
All Cultural Heritage Week events have been postponed, museums closed, all sports competitions suspended, wedding halls closed and wedding ceremonies postponed.
Following Wednesday’s procession, Raisi’s body will be taken to his hometown of Mashhad in the country’s northeast, where he will be buried after funeral rites at the Imam Reza Shrine.
The remains of others who were killed in the crash will also be sent to their hometowns to be buried.
In recent years, Italy has been among the few European countries – and arguably the only one – that have sought to strengthen their relations with Central Asian nations.
Hungary will not abandon its pro-peace stance, just as it will not abandon its energy cooperation with Russia – even if the war in Ukraine drags on longer than hoped – Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated in Budapest on Monday following a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni highlighted Italy's pioneering role in EU–Central Asia relations and endorsed the Middle Corridor as a vital trade route at the Astana International Forum.