Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi is confirmed dead after a helicopter crash, state media reports.
The crash took place in the northwest of the country, Iran’s East Azerbaijan region – a foggy, mountainous area.
The country’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, 60, and the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, Malek Rahmati, were also with the president. Other officials and bodyguards were also in the helicopter.
A search party confirmed there were no survivors.
The state-run IRNA news didn’t confirm the cause of the crash.
Egypt, Jordan, Azerbaijan and Syria leaders offered their condolences.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said he and his government were “deeply shocked”, adding that the business of Iran’s government will continue no matter what.
Mr Raisi was 63.
He won Iran’s presidential election in 2021, in a vote that had the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history.
Under Mr Raisi, Iran enhances uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has appointed first vice president Mohammad Mokhber as the acting President.
He made the announcement while sharing his condolences, as well as a five-day period of mourning.
Mr Mokhber was Iran’s first vice president.
A presidential election is expected to be called within 50 days.
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HeadlineIran president Ebrahim Raisi found dead after helicopter crash
Short HeadlineIran president dead after helicopter crash
StandfirstThe foreign minister and Iranian governor of the East Azerbaijan province also died in the crash.
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi is confirmed dead after a helicopter crash, state media reports.
The crash took place in the northwest of the country, Iran’s East Azerbaijan region – a foggy, mountainous area.
The country’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, 60, and the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, Malek Rahmati, were also with the president. Other officials and bodyguards were also in the helicopter.
A search party confirmed there were no survivors.
The state-run IRNA news didn’t confirm the cause of the crash.
Egypt, Jordan, Azerbaijan and Syria leaders offered their condolences.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said he and his government were “deeply shocked”, adding that the business of Iran’s government will continue no matter what.
Mr Raisi was 63.
He won Iran’s presidential election in 2021, in a vote that had the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history.
Under Mr Raisi, Iran enhances uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has appointed first vice president Mohammad Mokhber as the acting President.
He made the announcement while sharing his condolences, as well as a five-day period of mourning.
Mr Mokhber was Iran’s first vice president.
A presidential election is expected to be called within 50 days.
