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Here are some of the foreign dignitaries expected to attend the Iranian president's funeral
From CNN's Adam Pourahmadi, Anna Chernova, Hamdi Alkhshali,Isil Sariyuce, Sophia Saifi and Manveena Suri
Officials from Russia, India and Turkey plan to attend the funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
Here are some of the dignitaries attending:
Russia
- Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the State Duma
Turkey
- Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz
- Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan
India
- Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar
Afghanistan
- Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Baradar Akhund
- Minister of Foreign Affairs Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi
Pakistan
- Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
- Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar
Iraq
- Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani
- A high-ranking delegation that includes the President of the Federal court
China
- Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing
This post has been updated.
Hamas calls on other countries to recognize Palestinian state
From CNN's Kareem Khadder
Norway, Ireland and Spain's decision to recognize a Palestinian state has been welcomed by Hamas, who has urged other countries to follow suit.
“We welcome the announcement by Norway, Ireland and Spain to recognize of the State of Palestine, and we consider it an important step on the path to establishing our right to our land and establishing our independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital,” a Hamas statement said.
"We call on countries around the world to recognize our legitimate national rights, support the struggle of our people for liberation and independence, and end the Zionist occupation of our land.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Palestinian Authority also welcomed the decision of the three European nations to recognize a Palestinian state and similarly urged other countries to follow their lead.
Palestinian Authority president calls on other countries to recognize Palestinian state
From CNN’s Kareem Khadder
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas has welcomed Ireland, Norway and Spain's decision to recognize a Palestinian state, urging other countries to follow their lead.
The president’s office said Madrid's decision "reflects Spain’s keenness to support the Palestinian people and their inalienable and legitimate rights to their land and homeland,” according to a statement cited by Palestinian news agency Wafa.
"Spain's decision, in these times, comes as a contribution from countries that believe in the two-state solution as an option that represents international will and legitimacy, in saving this solution, which is being systematically destroyed as a result of Israeli policies, especially through the continuation of the genocidal war in the Gaza Strip."
Abbas said Norway and Ireland have "steadfastly supported the rights of the Palestinian people over the past years and voted in favor of these rights in international forums.”
“This initial decision is a culmination of these positions and is consistent with the principles of international law that recognize the right of peoples to get rid of colonialism and oppression and to live in freedom, justice and independence.”
The presidency called for other countries to “follow the example of Norway, Ireland and Spain, which chose the path of supporting the achievement of peace and stability and consolidating the rules of international legitimacy, and international law.”
"World community now needs progress" in Gaza peace process, says Norwegian foreign minister
From CNN’s James Frater in London
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Wednesday that the “world community now needs progress" in the process of seeking peace in Gaza.
Norway, Spain and Ireland have announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state. Israel responded to the announcement by ordering the immediate recall of its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway.
When asked by a reporter whether the Norwegian government risks side-tracking the peace process, Eide said:
“This is a clear signal to both moderate forces on the Palestinian side and the Israeli side that the world community now needs progress in this process, and that is what we will continue to work for.”
“We want to maintain both close diplomatic and other relations (with Israel). There are many links between Norway and Israel, and what they do is up to them,” he said.
Decision to recognize Palestinian statehood "important step towards peace," say Ireland, Spain and Norway leaders
From CNN's Niamh Kennedy and James Frater in London, and Al Goodman in Madrid
The prime ministers of Ireland, Spain and Norway have hailed their decision to recognize a Palestinian state as an "important step" toward "peace" in the region.
All three stressed the role of Palestinian statehood in enforcing the two-state solution in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the Spanish parliament that Spain had chosen to "recognize the state of Palestine for peace, coherence and justice."
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called the move an "important step" toward "permanent peace," speaking to journalists in Dublin.
"Recognition is an act of powerful political and symbolic value. It is an expression of our view that Palestine holds and should be able to vindicate the full rights of a state including self-determination, self-governance, territorial integrity and security," Harris said.
"It is a decision being taken on its merits. But we cannot ignore the fact that we are taking it as Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling suffering, hardship and starvation. A humanitarian catastrophe unimaginable to most and unconscionable to all is unfolding in real time."
Harris acknowledged that although there will be "reaction" and "interpretations" of the decision's implications, it was important to "not lose sight" that children in Gaza and Israel both “deserve peace.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told reporters in Oslo that"there can be no peace in the Middle East unless Palestinians and Israelis have their own state, and that there is a two-state solution."
"There cannot be a two-state solution without a Palestinian state, and in other words, peace in the Middle East requires a Palestinian state," Støre said.
Israel recalls its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway following decision to recognize a Palestinian state
From CNN's Mike Schwartz in Jerusalem
Foreign Minister Israel Katz has said he is ordering the immediate recall of Israel's ambassadors to Ireland and Norway following those countries’ decision to recognize a Palestinian state.
"I am sending a clear message today — Israel will not hold back against those who undermine its sovereignty and endanger its security,” Katz said in a statement released by the ministry.
"Ireland and Norway intend to send a message to the Palestinians and the whole world today: Terrorism pays. After the terrorist organization Hamas carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after it committed the most horrific sex crimes the world has seen, these countries chose to give a reward to Hamas and Iran and recognize a Palestinian state.”
Spain was also among the three countries that announced plans Wednesday to formally recognize a Palestinian state starting May 28.
Spain, Norway and Ireland will recognize a Palestinian state on May 28
From CNN’s Sophie Jeong, Zahid Mahmood, Al Goodman and Niamh Kennedy
Spain, Norway and Ireland have announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state, in a move that is likely to bolster the global Palestinian cause but strain relations with Israel.
"Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision," Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris told a press conference in Dublin.
The recognition will come into force in all three countries on May 28, Irish foreign minister Micheál Martin said.
Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the war in Gaza has “made it clear that achieving peace and stability must be predicted on resolving the Palestinian question.”
“In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security,” Støre said.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: "We will recognize the state of Palestine for peace, coherence and justice."
"This recognition is not against the people of Israel and certainly not against the Jews. It’s not in favor of Hamas. It’s in favor of co-existence."
Read the full story.
Hamas political leader attends funeral ceremonies for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi
From CNN’s Alireza Hajihosseini
Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh attended funeral ceremonies for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran on Wednesday.
“We have come from Gaza to pay our condolences to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Haniyeh told crowds.
Haniyeh lives in Qatar.
Iran-backed militant groups Hamas, the Houthis, and Hezbollah have sent condolences to Tehran over Raisi's death.
Iran's Supreme Leader leads funeral prayers in Tehran for late President Ebrahim Raisi
From CNN’s Alireza Hajihosseini
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led prayers in Iran's capital Tehran on Wednesday in funeral ceremonies for the late President Ebrahim Raisi and others killed in a helicopter crash.
The funeral, broadcast on Iranian state TV, saw large crowds gathered to pay final respects to the late president.
The death of ultraconservative Raisi and other high-ranking officials comes at a delicate time for a country that faces unprecedented challenges at home and from abroad.
Nine people died in the helicopter crash on Sunday, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Imam Mohammad AliAlehashem, Governor Malek Rahmati, along with two pilots, a chief crew and two security staff.
Authorities are investigating what caused the crash on a remote mountainside in foggy weather.
Raisi’s death has raised questions about who will eventually succeed Iran’s 85-year-old Supreme Leader Khamenei, the most powerful man in the country ruled under a strict theocracy.
