This text explores the funeral ceremony, the emotional and political responses, the life and background of Ismail Saqab Esfahani, and the broader social impact of this incident, weaving together the personal, political, and national dimensions of a tragedy that resonated widely across Iranian society.
A Night of National Mourning at Noor Mosque
The Noor Mosque in northern Tehran, known for hosting official ceremonies and gatherings of national significance, became the focal point of grief as thousands gathered to pay their respects. Black banners, verses from the Holy Qur’an, and condolence messages adorned the entrance. The interior space was filled long before the ceremony began, with cries, prayers, and the sorrowful recitation of elegies echoing through the prayer hall.
President Masoud Pezhakian arrived accompanied by members of his cabinet, walking solemnly through a tight corridor formed by the crowd. His attendance, though expected as a head of state, carried a deeper symbolic weight: Pezhakian had personally appointed Saqab Esfahani as the head of the newly formed Energy Optimization and Strategic Management Organization just weeks earlier. The tragedy struck at a moment when the administration was still consolidating itself, making the president’s presence a gesture of solidarity and moral responsibility.
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, also attended despite his professional and political engagements. Known for his long-standing presence in Iranian politics, Qalibaf had worked both collaboratively and occasionally in tension with various government figures. Nonetheless, his attendance underscored a rare moment in which political differences gave way to shared human grief.
