First Iran Hajj Stampede Dead Flown Home (2)

Iran media imagery of remains of Iranian victims of the 2015 Mina stampede, returned to Iran on 03OCT15:

Aircraft transporting victims to Tehran - Mehrabad International Airport (THR) is IRIG Boeing 707-3J9C, reg. EP-AJD / 1002 (cn 21124/910). This venerable VIP aircraft went through overhaul and four-engine replacement in 2013, with updated livery also applied.

What appears to be IRIAF aircrew of EP-AJD, veteran captains and first lieutenants, and an IRGC first lieutenant

Artesh presidential honor guard serve as pallbearers during solemn transport procession

Looking upon the transport procession, left to right:
- First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri Kouhshahi
- Speaker of Parliament Ali Ardashir Amoli Larijani
- President Hassan Rouhani
- Chief Justice Ayatollah Sadeq Ardeshir Amoli Larijani
- Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi-Golpayegani, Leader of Islamic Revolution chief of staff

In attendance: Basij Commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi

COMMENTARY: According to Wikipedia, on 24SEP15 an overcrowding situation caused the death of at least over 1,223 people who suffocated or were crushed to death during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Mecca. The incident happened at the intersection of streets 204 and 223 leading up to Jamaraat Bridge. The death toll is expected to rise since there are about 1,200 people still missing, and over 900 injured. Some of the injured were placed in induced comas. The official Saudi figures say that at least 769 were killed and 934 others injured due to the stampede, though other sources have estimated the death toll to be much higher. It was the deadliest accident to occur in the Hajj since the 1990 disaster that killed 1,426 people.

Of the victims of the 2015 Mina Stampede incident, more than 450 were Iranian.

On 29SEP15, it was reported King Salman of Saudi Arabia congratulated Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, on the “success of the Hajj.”

Tribal Basij participants in Beit al-Moghaddas exercise at Kermanshah

Iranian media photos of Tribal Basij assembled for Beit al-Moghaddas exercise taking place in Kermanshah Province, a territory situated across from Iraq's war-sticken Diyala Governate.

What appears to be Iranian Kurdish Tribal Basij members firing ZU-23-2 mounted on Iranian-built Zamyad Z24 (Nissan Junior) type "technical."

Iranian Turkmen Tribal Basij outfitted in traditional garb over Beit al-Moghaddas issue, MARPAT-inspired BDUs

Drill formation of Iranian Turkmen Tribal Basij equipped with AK-type assault rifles

Drill formation of Iranian Bakhtiari Tribal Basij equipped with AK-type assault rifles

Drill formation of Iranian Baloch Tribal Basij equipped with AK-type assault rifles (note lack of AK magazines for this tribe).

Drill formation of Iranian Arab Tribal Basij equipped with AK-type assault rifles

Merriment among Iranian Arab Tribal Basij and Beit al-Moghaddas quick reaction force light infantry

Basij Beit al-Moghaddas quick reaction force light infantry

Basij Commander Brigadier General Naqdi among IRGC and NEZAJA brigadier generals 2C 

Photos: Javed Hadi at Fars News Agency

Alborz Returns from Aden

IRIN Alborz Returning from Aden
Bandar Abbas. 7 July 2009. Mehr Photo

IRIN frigate Alborz returned to Bandar Abbas today after patrolling the waters off Gulf of Aden. The British-made frigate, commissioned in 1971, was deployed to Aden to protect Iranian oil tankers and merchant ships against the pirates. The frigate became the first IRIN ship to take part in naval operation in international waters. Accompanying Alborz, was IRIN Busheher which also returned to its port of Badar Abbas today.

IRIN has deployed two more ships from their home port of Jask to Gulf of Aden. The IRIN Naghdi, a US-made patrol frigate commissioned in 1964, and IRIN Bandar Abbas.