This archive report was first published on 4 January 2020.
Iranians are coming together to mourn the loss of General Qasem Suleimani, a highly respected figure within the Iranian system. According to Ariane Tabatabai, an expert on Iran, General Suleimani had a unique ability to work with all key players in the Iranian system, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is seen as a moderate.
As the news of General Suleimani's assassination spread, leaders across Iran rallied behind their leaders, with many describing him as a national symbol. Raz Zimmt, an Iran specialist, noted that many Iranians see his assassination as a blow to national pride.
Iran has announced a three-day funeral procession for General Suleimani, which began on Saturday in Baghdad and will continue in Mashhad, Iran on Sunday, and Tehran on Monday. The procession will culminate in a burial in General Suleimani's hometown of Kerman on Tuesday.
Leaders of militant groups from across the region are expected to attend the services, and experts predict an enormous turnout. The assassination of General Suleimani has also sparked concerns about the impact on Iran's nuclear program and its relations with the US.
Iran's nuclear program has been revived since the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2019, and the country has been facing escalating conflicts with the US. The European signers of the agreement have promised to find a way to offset the effects of the sanctions, but so far, have failed.
As Iran prepares for legislative elections next month, experts believe that the hard-liners will gain an advantage due to the pressure from the US. This, according to Vali Nasr, will play into the hands of the security forces.
