Mumbai: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has tragically died in a helicopter crash, Iranian state media confirmed. The fatal accident occurred in the mountainous northwestern region of Jolfa on Sunday, as Raisi and his entourage were returning from a visit to Iran’s border with Azerbaijan.
The helicopter was carrying President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and other senior officials. After hours of searching through challenging mountainous terrain amid adverse weather conditions, rescue teams located the wreckage. An official told Reuters that the helicopter was completely burned, leaving “no sign of life” at the crash site.
Iranian state TV corroborated the absence of survivors, reporting that the chopper crash resulted in the deaths of all on board. The loss of President Raisi and his key ministers marks a significant blow to the Iranian government and the nation as a whole.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced that First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber would assume the role of acting president until a new election is held. Khamenei specified that a presidential election must be organized within the next 50 days to formally elect Raisi’s successor.
Ayatollah Khamenei also declared a period of five days of public mourning to honor the memory of the deceased leaders. The nation is expected to observe this mourning period with various ceremonies and memorials.
This devastating incident comes as a shock to the nation, plunging Iran into a state of mourning and uncertainty. President Raisi, who took office in August 2021, was a significant figure in Iranian politics, known for his conservative stance and close ties with the Supreme Leader.
The international community, alongside the Iranian populace, awaits further details regarding the cause of the crash and the subsequent steps the Iranian government will take during this transitional period.
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