“Ebrahim Raisi” Iran President Died in Helicopter Crash
Iran President Died: Ebrahim Raisi and Officials Killed in Helicopter Crash
Iranian President Died "Ebrahim Raisi", the country's foreign minister, and other officials were reported dead in a helicopter crash by Iranian state media on Monday.
This incident leaves Iran without two key diplomatic figures amid heightened tensions in the region due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has died after a helicopter crash.
Rescue teams located the crash site on Monday morning, at which point the president and his foreign minister had been missing for more than 12 hours.
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Helicopter Crash Details
No immediate explanation for the crash was given, but state media shared images online showing what they described as the wreckage of the helicopter carrying the group.
The accident occurred in foggy conditions in a mountainous region in the northwest of Iran, close to the border with Azerbaijan.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Earlier, the president of the Iranian Red Crescent Society confirmed that rescue and search teams had located the crashed helicopter carrying Raisi.
The aircraft, transporting Raisi, Amir Abdollahian, and other high-ranking officials, went down in a mountainous area in northwestern Iran while returning from an event near the border with Azerbaijan.
Response from Neighboring Countries
Swift responses from neighboring countries followed the news. Pakistan's government declared a day of mourning in response, while Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his condolences to Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, as reported by Russian state media.
Iranian Government’s Emergency Measures
Following Raisi's death, the Iranian government convened an emergency meeting, after which Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, appointed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as the acting president of Iran.
Prayers and Expressions of Hope
A message shared on Raisi's Instagram page requested supporters to pray for his well-being and that of his fellow passengers. Ali Khamenei expressed hope for their safe return in a statement.
Raisi’s Presidency and Policies
Ebrahim Raisi, a former cleric and judge, assumed the presidency in 2021. He had affirmed Iran's commitment to the nuclear deal with the U.S. upon taking office, although his leadership was perceived as more hardline than his predecessor, Hassan Rouhani.
Constitutional Procedures Following President’s Death
According to Iran's constitution, if the president passes away while in office, the first vice president assumes the role with the endorsement of the country's supreme leader, as reported by Reuters.
Subsequently, a new election must be conducted within 50 days to select a new president.
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